ONE of Britain's best bands is joining forces with one of the country's top choirs for a concert in Malvern's Forum Theatre next Sunday.

The Band of the Grenadier Guards and the Morriston Orpheus Choir will be presenting a varied programme of stirring and evocative music.

Welsh airs such as Gwyr Harlech and Cwm Rhondda will be performed by the choir alongside spirituals and modern tunes such as New York, New York and Stars (from Les Miserables). The band will be playing works including Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance, and Strauss's Festmusik Der Stadt Wien.

The Band of the Grenadier Guards has an illustrious history, having been founded in a Royal Warrant issued by Charles II in 1685; it then consisted of 12 hautbois.

The regiment has a long connection with Worcestershire, with many instances of fathers, sons and brothers serving. In 1999, the regiment was granted the Freedom to enter the City of Worcester with drums beating, colours flying, bayonets fixed and swords drawn.

Major Linden Ingram is one of the world's leading exponents of the bagpipes and he will be performing alongside the band for numbers such as Scotland the Brave and Amazing Grace.

The Morriston Orpheus Choir was formed in 1935 and enjoys a worldwide reputation for male choral music.

None of its members are paid but the choir performs up to 30 engagements a year, including concerts, TV appearances and after-dinner performances.

Its conductor and musical director is Alwyn Humphrey and the accompanist is Joy Amman Davies.

The concert is on Sunday, July 15, and tickets (all seats £14) are available from the box office on 01684 892277.

The concert has been arranged by the Worcester and Hereford branch of the Grenadier Guards Association. All proceeds go to regimental charities.