THE DURHAM Singers will look across the Atlantic to music from America for a Christmas concert combining contemporary choral music, the spiritual tradition, and popular Christmas songs.

The music chosen by the choir members for their programme entitled American Christmas follows the themes of light and rest, reflecting on Christmas as a time for hope and comfort, away from the busy world.

The concert will be held at Elvet Methodist Church, Durham City, at 7.30pm on Saturday, December 22.

Some of the pieces have a recognizable Christmas ring to them, such as Peter Gritton’s arrangements of Have yourself a merry little Christmas, and Winter Wonderland.

And they share an emotional directness with the traditional spirituals in the concert, This little light of mine and There’s a balm in Gilead.

Eric Whitacre and Morten Lauridsen are two of the best-known contemporary American choral composers, and the Durham Singers have included several of their works in their programme.

Lauridsen’s setting of the old Latin prayer O Magnum Mysterium has rapidly established itself as a modern classic and Eric Whitacre’s playful setting of little tree, a poem by E E Cummings, takes the listener back to the childhood magic of decorating a tree.

Tickets are £12 adults, students £6, and children under-13 free. Available from the Gala Theatre box office, 0191-332 4041 or galadurham.co.uk or on the door.

For more information, contact the choir on 0779 0148062 or email info@durham-singers.org.