GIFTED unaccompanied singers are staging a lunchtime recital to give shoppers a chance to chill out and relax in Knutsford.

Counterpoint, a cappella group, will be performing in St John’s Church at 1pm on Saturday, November 11.

Their concert entitled ‘Keep The Music Playing’ offers listeners just over an hour of inspirational music in the heart of town.

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Knutsford Guardian: Director Steven Benson leads singers through warm-up exercises before their rehearsalDirector Steven Benson leads singers through warm-up exercises before their rehearsal (Image: Steven Benson)

The group comprises teachers, doctors, NHS workers, ministers and project managers from across south Manchester.

The 14-strong choir made its debut at the Knutsford Music Festival in 2022.

Last year, they tackled pieces from choral music’s more demanding repertoire, including Allegri’s ‘Miserere’.

Knutsford Guardian: Listening is as important as singing in a small group of voicesListening is as important as singing in a small group of voices (Image: Steven Benson)

This time, there’s music from Billy Joel, Benjamin Britten, Stanford and the early Baroque Dutch composer, Jan Sweelinck.

Arrangements by Sir David Willcocks, from King’s College, Cambridge and The King’s Singers are also featured.

The concert’s title comes from a slow jazz arrangement by Alexander L’Estrange called ‘How Do You Keep The Music Playing’.

Knutsford soprano soloist Eleanor Woods will also be performing.

Knutsford Guardian: Sopranos and altos singing Billy Joel's song 'And So It Goes'Sopranos and altos singing Billy Joel's song 'And So It Goes' (Image: Steven Benson)

This talented singer is currently on a post graduate opera course in Cardiff.

Eleanor will be singing arias by Purcell, Schubert and Hahn and will join Counterpoint in the song poem by American writer Sara Teasdale expressing childhood reminiscences ‘Only in Sleep’.

Looking forward to Christmas, Eleanor will sing the French 19th century song ‘O Holy Night’.

Knutsford Guardian: Final rehearsals before the concertFinal rehearsals before the concert (Image: Steven Benson)

Her accompanist will be Chris Leigh, assistant head teacher at Knutsford Academy.

Being Remembrance weekend, the concert will mark the occasion with a piece written by Counterpoint director Steven Benson specially for the concert.

Tickets are available from linktr.ee/keepthemusicplaying.

Knutsford Guardian: Some of the music for the concert is in six, seven or eight partsSome of the music for the concert is in six, seven or eight parts (Image: Steven Benson)

Counterpoint director Steven Benson said: “Most of the hymns we hear around Remembrance with a trumpet part taking the lead are accompanied by either organ, band or orchestra.

Knutsford Guardian: Counterpoint director Steven Benson conducting Sweelinck's motet 'Hodie Christus Natus Est'Counterpoint director Steven Benson conducting Sweelinck's motet 'Hodie Christus Natus Est' (Image: Steven Benson)

“We have not found anything that would work with an unaccompanied group such as ours, so we’ve written something for unaccompanied choir and trumpet.

“We are delighted to welcome Chris Purdie from Barnton Silver Band to take this solo part.”

Guests can pay on the door if any tickets are left.