HEREFORD Cathedral Choir will perform a live broadcast on BBC Radio 3 later this month.

The Cathedral's Choral Evensong on Wednesday, January 21, is to be highlighted at 4pm on that day.

The service will last for about an hour and although members of the public are welcome to the cathedral service they are asked to be in their seats by 3-45pm.

Music was chosen for the broadcast several weeks ago but there has been a recent change to include a piece by Dr John Sanders, the former organist of Gloucester Cathedral who died in December.

Organ

It will also give listeners and the congregation a chance to hear the music of the cathedral's world famous Willis organ before it is taken out of service at the end of the month to undergo major restoration work, funded through the Lottery Heritage Fund.

Cathedral organist and director of music Geraint Brown said the choir always looked forward to live broadcasts with listeners all over the world who could access the service on the internet, via the BBC's web site.

"A live broadcast is one of the many highlights that the choristers experience in their time in the choir," he said.

"They have a fascinating day watching the setting up of the equipment, going through the various sound checks, and finally waiting for the exciting moment when the red light goes on."