THE 2013 York Late Music Concerts programme welcomes baritone Robert Rice and pianist William Vann for this season’s second evening of “music by living composers, performed live” on April 6.

This 7.30pm concert takes place at Late Music’s regular home of the Unitarian Chapel, in St Saviourgate, York, with a centrepiece of the world premiere of Thomas Simaku’s Clock And Times.

The evening will be built around a collection of Ursula Vaughan Williams works set to music by various composers, Simaku among them, as part of Late Music’s on-going Northern Songbook project.

Viola player Rosalind Ventris and pianist Lara Dodds-Eden perform new works by David Lancaster, from York St John University, and Peter Byrom-Smith alongside pieces by Nicola Lefanu, Arvo Part and Tansy Davies (Small Black Stone), who will give a pre-concert talk at 6.45pm.

“Rosalind Ventris is going to go places,” says Late Music administrator Steve Crowther.

“She’s making her Late Music debut after playing at the University of York last year and her CV is really gaining momentum.

“She’s having pieces written for already, such as her Monologue for Solo Viola, which will be the opening work at Rosalind’s concert.”

When the Ossian Ensemble chamber musicians perform their closing piece on June 1 – George Crumb’s The Voice Of The Whale – they will be wearing masks and illuminated in blue light.

“It’s a very beautiful work that will be gently theatrical with electronics involved and that sensuous lighting,” says Steve.

• Further concerts will feature the Ligeti String Quartet, July 6; pianist Ian Pace, August 3; Farthingale Ensemble’s Madrigals Now, September 7; and the Manchester Chamber Choir, October 5. Tickets: latemusic.org or on the door.