The Burford Singers' pre-Christmas extravaganza on Sunday was a particularly wonderful occasion, which - although not consisting of any Christmas music - nevertheless captured the festive spirit with some joyful and vibrant singing.

First up was the little-known Mirror of Perfection by Richard Blackford, who happily was on hand to give the audience an insight into his inspiration behind the piece. Composed in the mid-1990s, the seven canticles are settings of poems by St Francis of Assisi, and include a variety of emotions, including love, hope, despair, a celebration of the Creation and an appeal for peace. Blackford's belief that these issues are just as relevant in modern society is reflected in his sometimes passionate and sometimes beautiful settings, which were performed with warmth and sincerity by this ever-proficient choir.

There were strong contributions, too, from soprano Elizabeth Watts and baritone William Berger, whose voices soared effortlessly and with supreme control. A delightful addition was the Cotswold Children's Choir, which featured around 20 or so youngsters aged nine to 12, who sang with great purity and musicality. This was a very moving performance from all concerned, and is a piece that deserves more frequent airing.

After the interval, Elizabeth Watts treated the audience to a particularly radiant and sparkling rendition of Mozart's Exsultate Jubilate. A recent prize-winner at the Cardiff Singer of the World competition, Ms Watts has an exceptionally beautiful and fluid voice, and she injected this piece with an infectious joie de vivre. The famous Alleluia was a tour de force, which she brought to a close with a triumphant flourish.

The evening ended with Mozart's Mass in C - the "Coronation Mass" - performed by both choir and orchestra with energy, enthusiasm and sparkle. Once again, Elizabeth Watts and William Berger impressed, as did mezzo soloist Catherine Hopper and tenor Sean Clayton, all four working well with each other and with the choir to ensure a magnificent finale.