THERE is a venturesome spirit within the Grange Choral Society; one that is prepared to try something different, and in Saturday’s inspired concert they conveyed to stunning effect the glories of voice, brass, percussion and organ under Daniel Cook’s baton.

Concluding with John Rutter’s Gloria the entire ensemble plus the soaring soprano soloist Katharine Hawnt ensured this powerful paean drew a performance to match the ambitious scoring.

Parry’s anthem I Was Glad, accompanied by organ, had that extra edge with supporting brass ensemble, the Grange singers revelling in the challenge.

Bruckner’s motets are gems of choral excellence and here the Grange performed six of them, some a cappella and others with brass. If the highest degree of polish was occasionally missing these were still distinguished accounts.

Organist Ian Wicks joined forces with the brass ensemble in an arrangement of Gigout’s only well known work; the Grand Choeur Dialogue and quite a spectacle it was, also in solo he shook the Priory’s foundations with Walton’s magnificent Crown Imperial.

Elgar’s Great is the Lord with bass soloist Richard Hooper and organ accompaniment was impressive but surpassed by Parry’s Hear my words, ye people with the panoply of brass, chorus and both soloists in stirring form. A superb concert and hopefully something similar may follow.