The Chapel Choir of Queen Mary's School in Baldersby Park is marking its 30th anniversary by inviting former choristers to take part in a reunion evensong on Saturday in Ripon Cathedral.

Around 70 singers are expected to attend, including the first head chorister, Becs Mangles - now Mrs Becs Trant.

Mrs Trant, whose 10-year-old daughter Tilly is a pupil at Queen Mary's, attended the school from 1975 to 1981 when it was based at Duncombe Park, near Helmsley. The choir was formed in 1978 by the director of music, Nicholas Carter, with just 12 members and it sang only at school services.

Mrs Trant was overjoyed when chosen as head chorister and is looking forward to the reunion. "I remember I joined the choir when I was 11 or 12. It was wonderful. I enjoyed every minute of it, mainly due to Nick who was so inspirational and had so much enthusiasm.

"I'm really looking forward to the reunion, it will be lovely," said Mrs Trant, who lives in Catterick.

Now the choir consists of the 24 best singers in the school and entry is by audition. It aims to introduce the girls to performing a wide range of sacred and secular music to a very high standard, from plainsong to the present day, whilst having fun at the same time.

Reputation

During the past 30 years, the choir has built up a reputation for excellence and performs regularly outside school; it competes successfully in local and national festivals, sings evensong in local cathedrals and each term gives regular concerts for charity.

Mr Carter said: "Music is an essential and integral part of the school's working life. There is something musical happening every day of the week, and the chapel choir is the flagship of those activities."

Music at tomorrow's reunion evensong at Ripon Cathedral, at 5.30pm, includes Schubert's Ave Maria and the premiere of a Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis written for the occasion by Mr Carter.