Arts @ Banbury St Mary welcomed a group of 40 enthusiastic singers drawn from the newly-formed Midlands chamber choir VentiQuattro and St Mary's Festival Singers on Sunday afternoon for a 'Come & Sing' open rehearsal. The singers were led by skilful conductor, Helen Swift, who started the afternoon with an energetic warm-up. She spaced the singers around the church and encouraged them to stretch their arms, as well as their lungs and vocal chords, in a series of imaginative exercises. 

 The group then worked hard at the polyphony of Byrd's 'Sing Joyfully' before stopping for a delicious tea. Upper voices then rehearsed Quartel's 'Lux Aeterna' while, in another part of the building, tenors and basses practised Vaughan William's 'Turtle Dove'. The whole group came together again to sing the ethereal 'Lux Aurumque' by Whitacre, before rounding off the enjoyable afternoon with a lilting rendition of 'The Road Home' by Paulus. 

 This was a hugely successful joint venture between a local choir and a visiting group which everyone enjoyed and benefited from. Many thanks to all involved in organising the occasion.