Classical Preview: Chorus of approval for choir's long-serving conductor

So says Peter Seymour, the conductor of the York University Chamber Choir, a group that also forms the student nucleus of the University Choir that will perform – next Wednesday – with the Northern Sinfonia in Haydn's The Seasons.

"I have had sole control of the chamber choir for 26 years, and it really does take a long time to create the basic choral discipline in a student group, but it then passes down from year to year as new and old students mix," he says.

"We are fortunate in having more young people auditioning each year than we need, so that we can be choosy, and that in itself sets a standard. Most arrive with little background or understanding of classical music, probably having sung in school choirs.

"The ongoing problem has been the creation of sixth-form colleges; it is at that age boys' voices break into tenors and basses, and without them, secondary school choirs no longer learn and sing harmony."

Such problems have not detracted from the fact that the university has arguably the finest large choral group in Yorkshire, the annual end-of-term concert, in June, being one of the great music events in the region.

"This year, we are performing Britten's War Requiem with an outstanding group of soloists, and working orchestras, such as the Northern Sinfonia, is among the attractions the music department has on offer to music students selecting their university," says Seymour.

York University Choir, York Minster, March 10, 7.30pm. 01904 432439.