One of the joys of the Heritage Month celebrations is the annual concert directed by Marjorie Pettit.

Known for its excellence, this year?s programme promises more of the same.

In addition to the hand-picked, 37-piece orchestra, which includes many of Bermuda?s leading instrumentalists, the St. John?s Youth Choir and Bermudian pianist Mandy Wong will be the featured soloists.

The first half of the concert will feature the Youth Choir presenting a wide range of spiritual, classical and contemporary pieces. Soloists will be Francesca Dill, Laura Fasulo, Rebecca Faulenberry, Madison Mello, Eileen Walsh and Zoe Brady.

Bermudian pianist Mandy Wong will complete the programme with a performance of Beethoven?s Piano Concerto No. 3 in c minor, of which the second movement is said to be the most beautiful he wrote. First performed by the composer in 1803, who also conducted the orchestra, it was written specifically to show both his originality as a composer and his personal virtuosity as a performer, and was the first of his concertos to make use of several compositional techniques. The first movement features a march-like rhythm, stern character and drum beat motif, while the second is colourful and character-filled, and the third is noted for its rollicking rhythm and steady, country-dance beat.

Miss Wong is well known to local audiences, having performed in recitals and as a soloist with orchestral accompaniment. This is her second appearance in a Heritage Concert, and she also appeared in this year?s Bermuda Festival.

The gifted pianist holds as Master?s degree in music performance, and is currently enrolled in the New England Conservatory?s performance-enhancing Graduate Diploma programme. In March she made her solo debut at Boston?s Jordan Hall, performing a new piece by Boston composer Lee Hyla.

Mrs. Pettit has a long history of musical direction with such bodies as the Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society, the Saltus Concert Society, and the Gilbert and Sullivan Society, as well as producing for three Bermuda Festival performances. She began working with choirs and instrumentalists for the Heritage Concerts in 1991, and six years ago established the St. John?s Youth Choir. Her great passion is the education of children, and the artistic development of young people.

?It is my ambition to introduce as many young singers as possible to the wonderful repertoire of music of all styles and centuries which exists, and of which, under normal circumstances they would have limited or no experience,? Mrs. Pettit says. ?It is also my aim to provide a platform for young Bermudians studying abroad to return to the Island and display their performing skills.?

The Heritage Concert will take place at St. John?s Church, Pembroke on Saturday and Sunday of this week (May 15 and 16) beginning at 7.30 p.m. Tickets (students $15, others $25) are available at the door and from the Visitors Service Bureau box office.