Winchester College Quiristers, with James Sherlock at the piano, conducted by Christopher Tolley, are giving a concert in aid of Friends of Hyde Abbey Garden.

It will be on Saturday, February 1st, at 7pm in St Bartholomew's Church, Hyde.

The programme will consist of classical and popular music ranging from Bernstein to Brahms, with instrumental interludes.

It is particularly appropriate that they are performing in support of Winchester's Jubilee Project, since it is an Old Wykhamist, Kim Wilkie, who has produced the design for the garden.

It will commemorate the final burial place of Alfred the Great in front of the high altar of the former Hyde Abbey Church, the foundations of which were revealed by excavations in 1999.

The quiristers have been in existence ever since the college's foundation in 1382, the requirement for them being written into the statutes.

Although originally their duty was to provide the treble line for the services in the college chapel, today they combine that with giving concerts both in the UK and abroad, with a repertoire ranging from religious to secular music.

The Quiristers, educated at Pilgrim's School, sing with the Cathedral Choristers, with whom they have produced a joint CD, "Lux Aeterna".

The quiristers have also recently released a new CD, "Something's Coming", and many items from this will be included in their forthcoming concert.

* Hampshire County Council has approved a £10,000 grant towards the the £100,000 Hyde Abbey Garden project.