NEW York is the apple of their eyes for six members of Lytham St Annes Choral Society.

They have flown out to the Big Apple to sing in performances of English choral music in two of New York's finest churches.

The three sopranos, two altos and a bass are performing with a choir from the North West region of the National Federation of Music Societies.

Rehearsals for this unique project have been taking place for six months and the brief tour includes performances at some spectacular venues.

The choir is presenting Elgar's Dream of Gerontius and Mendelssohn's Elijah on two evenings in St George's Church in Manhattan - the magnificent church where composer Dvorak worshipped when he lived in New York.

There is also a lunch-time performance of Elgar's The Music Makers in the Cathedral of St John the Divine which is the largest Gothic-style cathedral in the world.

Members of St George's Church choir who are hosting the visitors will join them in the evening concerts.

Although choir members will spend much of the time rehearsing, their American hosts have arranged sight-seeing trips around the city including a visit to New York City Opera.

There will not be much rest for the high-flying singers when they return home on Saturday, however, as the choir are performing Faurs Requiem at St John's Church in Lytham on Sunday (October 31) at 6.30pm.

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