Woking Choral Society has been part of the borough’s music scene for some 125 years and can count Sir Edward Elgar as a conductor at one of its concerts in 1924, as well as Woking’s own Dame Ethyl Smyth.

The 60-strong choir welcomes anyone with love of choral music, and details of how to join are on www.wokingchoral.org.uk.

In common with many choral societies, Woking Choral has performed a wide range of music from the great composers from the 17th to the 20th centuries. They have also performed some modern compositions.

What has yet to be performed is a more traditional piece written by a current composer. The omission will be rectified at their next concert, on Saturday, April 13 at St John’s Church, West Byfleet (7.30pm), when they will perform the Da Vinci Requiem, a piece written five years ago by Cecilia McDowall.

Cecilia is making her name in the modern classical music world with her works being commissioned, performed and recorded by well-known choirs such as the BBC Singers, the Sixteen and Oxford and Cambridge choirs.

The Da Vinci Requiem presents an imaginative pairing of extracts from the Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci along with the usual Latin texts from a requiem. It is a rich, atmospheric piece for a full choir and soloists which follows the first half of the concert, where shorter pieces by Verdi, Faure, Brahms and Mendelssohn will provide a contrast in styles.

Cecilia will attend a rehearsal evening to provide an insight into the composition and linking of the music, words and their significance in the overall piece, as well as helping refine the performance.

The concert will be conducted by the choir’s musical director, Cole Bendall, and accompanied by Suzy Ruffles.

Tickets (£20, £5 students) can be purchased through www.wokingchoral.org.uk/events or at the door.