GENESIS Sixteen is a training programme for young singers in conjunction with The Sixteen, which meets four times a year.

Supported by the Genesis Foundation, it trains young singers and each year there is a new group.

They make incredible progress, mentored by The Sixteen and with significant performance opportunities.

This is the second year running they were invited to Ryedale Festival, and this concert proved why.

A spirited and strong start in Gaude Virgo by Josquin des Pres was followed by the gentler, more lyrical Ego flos campi by Vicenzo Bertolusi, conducted by Eamonn Dougan, a calming presence.

Salve Regina by Francis Poulenc provided another lovely contrast of mood and was beautifully and clearly communicated – diction and intonation was good throughout.

Strong dynamic contrasts, and dulcis passages suitably sweet, delighted the audience and led to warm applause.

Osculetur me by Vicenzo Bertolusi showed off individual voices as they intertwined through the texture – especially on the word “innocenti”.

Instead of Sheppard’s Libera nos as expected, the choir performed Arvo Part’s Nunc Dimitis, which it had sung at St Clement Danes evensong the previous Wednesday. Starting very softly, it grew incrementally, part by part, in bell-like sequences of serenity and tranquillity, building to a full chordal Gloria and Amen.

Another surprise followed. The choir split into four for consort music by Wilkes and Tomkins, unconducted, to exhibit their work exploring the possibilities and difficulties of performing such music. Singing from four locations in groups of five, of which two sang from memory, it was a tour de force and received prolonged applause.

Ildebrando Pizzetti’s Requiem was unusual and with impressive tutti passages, again injecting a change of mood and period, followed by the Salve Regina by Tomas Luis deVictoria, which was beautifully sung. Holst’s Nunc Dimitis made a glorious finale.

Prolonged applause led to William Byrd’s Ave verum as encore, an ethereal and fitting end to this feast of music.

Sue Shaw