Alexander’s celebration of a doomed Royal ship

As spokeswoman Marilyn Dennis explains: “The composer of Ahoy! Sing for the Mary Rose was only eight years old when on TV he saw Henry VIII’s doomed warship being salvaged from the sea.

“Deeply impressed, Alexander L’Estrange later jumped at the chance to write a celebratory piece, commissioned jointly by Portsmouth Festivities and the Mary Rose Trust.

“After having successfully performed L’Estrange’s jazzy Zimbe, The Angmering Chorale has also jumped at the chance to perform Ahoy! along with the composer’s wacky Call me Al Quintet and three local children’s school choirs: Swiss Gardens, St Wilfrid’s and Rose Green Infants.

“Combining arrangements of traditional sea shanties with Tudor music such as Greensleeves and Pastime with Good Company, he has appropriately included his own beautiful setting of Full Fathom Five, from Shakespeare’s Tempest, to be sung a cappella

“It is certainly going to be a very lively and rousing performance, tinged with tragedy and emotion.

“According to our other featured composer, Howard Goodall, Mr L’Estrange is the perfect 21st century musician. Praise indeed from Goodall who has made his name with a variety of genres, from Blackadder to The Vicar of Dibley and from Eternal Light to his newest work Every Purpose under the Heaven.

“This is Goodall’s personal tribute to the majestic King James Bible of 1611, 400 years on, ranging from Genesis to Revelation, in the contemporary, fresh yet reverent style for which he is well-known.”

Marilyn added: “Under its inspirational musical director George Jones, The Chorale has shown dedication to British composers such as Rutter, Chilcott, Vaughan Williams and its patron Karl Jenkins.

“Do not miss the performance of these latest two highly-contrasting works which will take place at Angmering School on Saturday, June 28 at 7pm.”

Tickets at £10 available from 01243 554501 or www.theangmeringchorale.org.uk.