The Martin Read Foundation is hosting its annual Festival of Contemporary Music at the Church of St Lawrence in Alton on April 23 at 7.30pm.  

It will be on the theme of war, past and current, and will feature Martin’s Civil War cantata for double choir, baritone, cello, recorder quintet and drum, The Death of Colonel Boles. Boles was killed in St Lawrence Church.

There will also be new pieces for solo cello on the theme of war, new music for flexible ensemble, and a new choral piece by Freddie Hodkin.

Performers will include cellist Joseph Spooner, bass-baritone Paul Sheehan, choral groups from Commotio and Southern Voices, and conductor David Gibson. Funds for the event have been provided by East Hampshire District Council.

People can register to perform in the concert, either by singing in the choir or playing in the flexible ensemble. Rehearsals will be held from midday.

Martin Read, head of music at Alton College, died suddenly in 2012 aged 53.

The Martin Read Foundation, which supports young composers, was founded in 2014 and the festival celebrates its tenth year in 2023.

For tickets, and to register to perform, visit www.martinreadfoundation.org