THERE was a more traditional way to spend Saturday evening for music lovers if the nearby Eurovision was not for you.

Music MOB, a charity based in Oswestry and dedicated to giving opportunities to learn an instrument to state school pupils, was the recipient of monies raised at St Oswald’s Church on Saturday night, while the hosts also received funds.

Sian Tasker, from Music MOB (Music Matters in Oswestry and Borderlands), said the evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all those who attended.

She said: “On Saturday, as an alternative to the Eurovision competition, an appreciative audience enjoyed a wonderfully mixed programme of music featuring the Ridgeway Chorale at St Oswald’s Parish Church.

“There was music spanning more than 350 years from Purcell to Eric Whitacre and comprising a whistle-stop tour of many musical styles and genres.

“Alongside the choir were solo and duet performances by choristers from St Oswald’s Church Choir, Eleri Roberts and Alice Williams, both of whom hold the coveted Gold Award from the Royal School of Church Music’s ‘Voice for Life’ Scheme.

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“Ridgeway Chorale, led by its director Richard Grylls, comes from Hertfordshire where it performs regularly in concerts and at events.

“The choir travels nationally and internationally each year and presents concerts to raise money for local charities, having raised over £40,000 for such charities since 2001.

“The proceeds from Saturday’s concert were offered jointly to St Oswald’s Parish Church and local children’s music charity, Music MOB.”

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Music MOB is the brainchild of business owner, Mike Coppock, who is on the committee for the Oswestry Youth Music Festival, and is a former Oswestry councillor.

Sian added: “The constitutional aim of Music MOB is to support free instrumental and vocal lessons for children whose families may not have the means to provide them.

“Although the lessons would take place in school, there will be no cost to schools or families for either the teaching or the instruments.”