THE Cantamus choir is giving a series of concerts across West Dorset for Christmas.

Its members have put together a programme that includes the very best from more than 400 years of song writing, which they will perform at three Dorset venues this December.

Each concert will open with ‘E la don don’, a jolly Catalan number first published in 1556, and ends with the haunting ‘Lux Aurumque’ by Eric Whitacre, a US composer who is still very much alive.

Along the way, the singers will visit 17th-century Germany (‘Quem pastores’ by Praetorius), 19th century Kentucky (the traditional ‘Sing, all men’) and 20th century France (‘Hymne à la Vierge’ by Villette).

Cantamus followers will also be delighted by the inclusion of Morten Lauridsen’s gorgeous ‘O magnum mysterium’, such a hit at their concerts last Christmas.

Cantamus is now in its third year of performing and is winning a loyal following across the region as it develops technically under the baton of musical director Malcolm Knowles.

The three concerts this season are St Mary’s Church, Loders, Bridport, Saturday, 6 December at 6pm; The Church of Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs, and St Ignatius, North Chideock, Thursday, 11 December at 7pm; and St Mary’s Church, Thorncombe, Saturday, 13 December at 6pm.

Tickets are £8 and will be available on the door at each venue. For more about the choir, see cantamus-dorset.org