A MUSIC society which started in 1987 celebrates its 300th concert next month.

Passacaglia, one of the country’s leading period instrument ensembles, supplemented by Faye Newton (soprano), Mark Baigent (oboe) and Russell Gilmour (trumpet) will perform at St Oswald’s Church, Sowerby, on July 19, at 7pm.

The concert will feature Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No2, Cantata 51, Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, and Handel’s entrancing Eternal Source of Light Divine.

Since its first concert in November 1987, Sowerby Music has promoted a concert every month, except August.

Based in St Oswald’s Church, it was formed by three friends – Peter Chase, Claire Strafford and Graham Merriam – who had the support of the vicar at the time, the Reverend Paul Wordsworth.

The intention was, and still is, to encourage good, communicative artists to the church for concerts that educate and entertain.

Relatively early on, Martin Hooper took over publicity, front-of-house and marketing and, in 1993, society took possession of a Bechstein grand, paid for by “selling” keys at £50 each.

This piano was traded for a Steinway Model B in the spring of 2004, which has allowed the society to invite artists such as Steven Osborne, Martin Roscoe and Alexandra Dariescu.

The society is committed to the promotion of youth and, since Martin handed over programming to Graham Merriam from 2005-6, there have been regular performers from Chethams or Yorkshire Young Musicians, exceptional undergraduates from the Conservatoires and an annual concert underwritten by the Countess of Munster Trust.

In 1997, Sowerby Music formed Music for Life. This scheme supports about 3,900 children with the provision of workshops and concerts by professional musicians.

There is cost of £1.50 per head for a concert and workshop, and the remainder is met by the generosity of the patrons of Sowerby Music.

Tickets cost £16 in advance from sowerbymusic.org.uk, Peter Rush on 01845 518001 or White Rose Book Café. Children can attend for free.