REHEARSALS are in full swing for the Okehampton Choral Society before its spring concert this weekend — its first under the supervision of the new musical director.

For his first spring concert as successor to John Holland, who retired at the end of December, new musical director Richard Edwards has chosen to perform some solemn music in the first half and then a concert performance of Trial by Jury for the second half.

Trial by Jury was the first — and shortest — collaboration between Gilbert and Sullivan and shows how the law treats Edwin when he carelessly gets himself engaged to two ladies at the same time.

Members of Okehampton Choral Society sing the solo parts and the remainder sing the choruses of jurors and bridesmaids.

Chairman Bill Sutton-Coulson said: 'For many years we have sung serious Requiems or Oratorios for the spring concert.

'Just for once it has made a nice contrast to sing something lighter.

'There are some super tunes and some good jokes at the expense of the legal profession.

'We are lucky to have two such accomplished pianists as Christine and Roger Cleverdon to accompany us.'