FORMER King’s Singer, acclaimed choral director, and composer Jeremy Jackman returns to Dorset this August to lead the choir Laudemus, showcasing music for the service of Choral Evensong.

The visit to various churches across the county commences with Shillingstone on Tuesday, August 12 followed by Dorchester on August 13, Sturminster Marshall August 14, Verwood August 15 and the Minster in Wimborne on August 16.

Taking its name from the Latin for ‘let us praise!’ and singing in venues across the county, the group has its roots in the Wimborne Arts Festival of 1991. The choir has returned each year since then to bring cathedral-style Evensong to country churches across Dorset.

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Organisers said: “Evensong is the jewel in the crown of Anglican church music.

“It is a formal service rich in singing which follows a 500 year-old tradition. Choral Evensong provides an opportunity to put aside the cares and noise of our everyday lives and allows the words and music sung by the choir to give reflection and provide a brief pause in our busy routine.

“Evensong is free to attend and lasts about 45 minutes.”

Operating as an annual summer course, singers come from all over the UK and some from overseas.

The repertoire is wide ranging, with different music for each service on the tour.

The choir is accompanied for the week by Dorset-born organist Sam Hanson, who pursues a busy freelance career as conductor, accompanist and composer in both Dorset and London.

Each service commences at 6pm and all are welcome.