ST AUGUSTINE’S church is very proud to be hosting a concert to raise money for the Ely-based charity ‘Making Music, Changing Lives’ on Thursday, June 19, at 7.30pm.

‘Caritas’, the Cardiff choir whose main aim is to sing to a high standard and raise money for good causes, will sing a programme entitled ‘Renaissance meets Romanticism’.

‘Making Music, Changing Lives’ was founded in 2010 by the Rev Jan Gould, a vicar in Ely who is also a musician. Jan saw the transforming effect that involving children in music can have through a project in Venezuela, which aims to introduce children of all ages to making music.

The South American project has been widely acclaimed, providing children unlikely ever to touch a musical instrument, with an opportunity to learn and play together.

The outcome is remarkable with children flourishing, growing in self esteem and coming together as one community.

With the help of professional musicians, and some keen supporters, Jan is now working with local primary schools in Cardiff, and children are benefitting hugely from this local project which in due course Jan wants to extend to the whole of Wales.

Musicians and children are all working hard but need money to progress.

The Choir, ‘Caritas’, also has noble aims. Caritas was founded in 2013 by Lindsay Gray to raise money for charities and good causes. The choir has already raised more than £12,000 for a variety of charities including Water Aid and the NSPCC.

Lindsay, himself a professional musician and one time director of the Royal School of Church Music, has brought together 22 singers from Cardiff and across the Vale.

The choir works to an exceptionally high standard and has a following of enthusiastic people who not only appreciate the concerts, but who also share the choir’s charitable aims.

Speaking about the choir and the forthcoming concert, Lindsay said: "It is a great privilege to work with such wonderful singers as we have in Caritas and I am very pleased to be supporting the work that is being done by ‘Making Music Changing Lives’ and the Friends of St Augustine's.

"We shall be performing a fabulous blend of pieces from beautiful 16th century masterpieces to glorious works of the Romantic period, ending with that great hymn tune ‘Aberystwyth’ composed by Joseph Parry who is buried in the churchyard of St Augustine's.”

The Friends of St Augustine's, which supports the maintenance of this important Grade 1 listed church, are helping to promote the concert and will receive a donation from Caritas.

Tickets are £10 (£5 for students and children) are available from James Brookmyre on 07548 748455 or on the door.

More information about Caritas at www.caritaschoir.co.uk and about Making Music, Changing Lives at www.makingmusicchanginglives.org