North east chamber choir Cappella Novocastriensis celebrated its 50th anniversary with a concert at St. George’s Church earlier this month. The programme included John Joubert’s Pilgrimage Song and O search me, God, Bach’s motets Singet dem Herrn and Der Geist hilft and works by Tallis and Byrd.

Cappella Novocastriensis was founded in 1960 by Dr Frederick Hudson to specialise in singing music for worship. A registered charity, the choir also aims to bring a wide range of music to the public. Singing in churches throughout the north east, as well as giving several major concerts each year, Cappella Novocastriensis is a choir of around 40 singers directed by Dr Eric Cross who is also dean of cultural affairs at Newcastle University.

Choir member Helen Andrews said: “I think it went well and it was a special occasion for us because of the anniversary, so there was a very good atmosphere in the concert and afterwards.”