Parnham Voices, Beaminster's superb chamber choir specialising in a capella singing, gave a concert celebrating the life of their late founder, Michael Walcot, on 23rd October in St Mary's church. A hand-picked group of vocalists assembled in 2003 by Michael himself, the choir performed a varied programme of music spanning six centuries and employing four languages. Interspersed with the songs were poetry readings by members of the choir and items by the talented clarinet and piano duo of Sarah and Barry Ryerson.

The singers demonstrated an impressive range of mood, dynamics and style. They were equally at home with Tudor anthems, Russian liturgical pieces, Italian canzonettas and Hollywood pops. John Mingay, their elegant conductor, has created an exceptional blend and balance of voices, which he controls with enviable skill and musicality. The choir's ability to control lengthy lines perfectly was particularly in evidence during the Rachmaninov Bogoroditsye Dyevo while they achieved a magical serenity in Tallis's If ye love me.

One highlight of the programme must surely be the performance of the Peter Phillips anthem O beatum et sacrosanctum diem so beloved of the choir's founder. In this delightful setting of Latin words, the intricate polyphony and the exciting echo effect as the two soprano voices flung short repeated phrases to and fro at lightning speed across the main body of the accompaniment were electrifying. In total contrast to this, the Joseph Barnby Victorian lollipop Sweet and Low showed a warmth of sentiment which enabled the audience to appreciate it as a vintage piece and not dismiss it as saccharin or cloying.

The Seiber Hungarian Folksongs were executed with clarity, wit and brilliant articulation, as was Charles Wood's Full Fathom Five. In fact the group is at its best when singing with precision, pace and energy. The final item - and the youngest song in the selection having been written in 2003 - was Richard Grylls's Viva la Musica. Bright, feisty and contemporary it provided the perfect ending for a concert celebrating the life of a man whose first love was vocal music.