Outside of Truro Cathedral the number of occasions when one can hear church music sung to such high standards are rare. Even rarer are the times when you can hear a Cambridge chapel choir singing in a church in rural Cornwall.

On Wednesday evening we were treated to a wonderful programme of music by the Girton College Chapel Choir in the ancient parish church in Constantine.

The evening began with three pieces sung by the choir's hosts, the Constantine Male Voice Choir. Completely different in style and yet the 'hors d'oeuvres' for what was to be a first-class feast of music.

In the absence of their director of music Dr Martin Ennis, the choir was conducted by their two organists, William Lings and Sam Hudson, young men with great talent and not phased by stepping in to lead such an excellent group of musicians. The choir opened with two fine movements from Mozart's 'Coronation Mass'. Ably accompanied by Sam Hudson, who showed the versatility of the Constantine organ, the choir sang these with great expression and vitality before the more sublime 'If ye love me' composed by Thomas Tallis in the 16th century. A 17th century piece by Lotti 'Crucifixus a 8', an eight part anthem, displayed the 18-voice choir's versatility.

There are three versions of the 'Ave verum corpus' that are regularly 'churned' out by parish choirs and often sound rather hackneyed. However, Girton's performance of the William Byrd gave it a freshness that made one sit up and take notice.

The first half concluded with a wonderful heartfelt performance of Brahms' 'How lovely are thy dwellings' from the German Requiem.

The second half of the programme contained works by composers of the 20th century including the complete set of 'Three Motets' by Charles Stanford. Two carols by Howells ('A Spotless Rose') and Leighton ('Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child') reminded us that Christmas was only just past.

Finally, we were treated to two spirituals arranged by Michael Tippet for his work 'A Child of our Time' - Steal Away' and 'Deep River'. An appreciative, and very full, church gave a standing ovation and received a repeat performance of 'Deep River' which, I must say, was even better than the first!

This is not the first time that the village of Constantine has been treated to such fine music but the first time for Girton College Choir and, I hope, not the last.