Bermuda's popular a capella choir The Ensemble Singers, is joining forces with the visiting Copley Singers of Boston to present a special concert in celebration of Bermuda's 400th anniversary.

The theme is 'Music from Bermuda, England and America'.

The concert will be jointly conducted by Ensemble Singers director Lloyd Matthew and Copley Choir director Brian Jones, with visiting organist/pianist Geoff Wieting providing the accompaniment. This is Mr. Jones' second visit to the Island, the last being in 2008 when he was the featured organist in a concert and flower festival given by the Ensemble Singers.

The programme will include three original compositions directly linked to Bermuda. One is 'The Bermuda Anthem', written by the late Geoffrey Tankard; the second, ''To All Bermudians', is by Gladys Tatem; and the third is 'Whom the Lord Hath Forgiven' by Alan MacMillan.

Mr. Tankard, a retired Royal School of Music examiner, lived and taught music in Bermuda for many years. Miss Tatem spent her entire career as a music teacher at the Bermuda High School for Girls, and wrote her piece in 1959 in honour of Bermuda's 350th anniversary.

Recalling the inspiration for 'Whom the Lord Hath Forgiven', Mr. Matthew said Mr. MacMillan was in Bermuda as a member of the choir Gloria Dei, and artist-in-residence with the Community of Jesus. The mixed-voice choir wanted to sing for the prisoners at Casemates, but the women were denied permission to enter the prison.

"As a result he decided to write a composition and dedicate it to the prisoners of Casemates. It is adapted from the 32nd Psalm, and is for men's voices only."

The programme will open with the 48-strong joint choirs singing the 'Kyrie and Gloria' "in full-throated glory," Mr. Matthew notes from French organist Louis Vierne's 'Masse Solennelle'.

Works to follow include English composer Herbert Sumsion's 'They That Go Down to the Sea in Ships'; Wilhousky's arrangement of 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic'; English composer Parry's 'Blest Pair of Sirens', and a selection of spirituals, including Norman Luboff's arrangement of 'Deep River'; Moses Hogan's arrangement of 'Ride on King Jesus'; Warren Martin's arrangement of 'Great Day'; US composer Aaron Copeland's 'Shall We Gather at the River', and 'Lord of the Dance'.

"'Lord of the Dance' is a traditional Shaker tune, and John Bertalot's arrangement is simply stunning," Mr. Matthew said. "We will also perform Randall Thompson's 'Alleluia', and the public will have an opportunity to join us in singing both the British and American national anthems.

The music for this programme is exciting, and represents various examples of choral literature over the years."

The concert will be held at Wesley Methodist Church on May 3 at 4 p.m. Tickets, $30, are available from the Music Box, Wesley Methodist Church office, and members of The Ensemble Singers.

* The Copley Singers will also perform during Wesley's 11 a.m. worship service on May 3.