World famous composer and Patron of Grayshott Concerts, Karl Jenkins, flew back from New York recently, in time to attend the first full performance of Handel's Messiah ever to be staged in the village. "The Grayshott community certainly knows how to put on a great concert" said Dr Jenkins, "It was top rate."

The performance at St Luke's Church on Saturday 20th March received an ecstatic response from the sell-out audience of over 300 who spontaneously rose to their feet for the Hallelujah Chorus.

Concerts' organisers had assembled Grayshott's own choir Excelsis and created, specially for the occasion, the Grayshott Baroque Orchestra from talented players in the district performing on period instruments. Four soloists with international reputations completed the ensemble, all under the baton of Director of Music Robert Lewis.

"This was a performance of exceptional quality" said Geoff Hoare of sponsors Huntington House. "The Choir were brilliant as always - and the soloists were just fantastic!" he said.

Co-sponsor Will Benson of Applegarth Farm was equally delighted. "This is our seventh year of support for Grayshott Concerts who bring world-class events right to our doorstep," he said, adding "You could see how the whole audience just loves these performances."

Artistic Director of Grayshott Concerts, Vivien Harrison, continues to be amazed at the depth of support for classical music locally. "We're now well on the way towards another sell-out event in May," she said, "this time for Mendessohn's Violin Concerto".

The event, called 'Martin plays Mendelssohn', starring local violin virtuoso Martin Smith with the New London Sinfonia, is at St Luke's Church Grayshott at 7.30pm on Saturday 15th May. For tickets and more information, ring 01428 606666.