THE University of York will present Heard Above The Battle's Roar, a poignant reflection of the First World War through music and poetry, in a day of concerts at the National Centre for Early Music, York, tomorrow.

Led by tenor Joshua Ellicott, baritone Roderick Williams and pianists Nicky Losseff and Peter Seymour, the World War One Song Day's three events will feature beautiful 20th century works by Finzi, Ireland, Butterworth and Vaughan Williams, among others.

In From Your Ever-loving Son, at 12.30pm, the story of Jack Ellicott's First World War will be told by his great-nephew, Joshua Ellicott, in song and in readings from the letters he sent to his family. Songs by Ireland, Bridge, Finzi, Rorem and Haydn Wood will be performed with Peter Seymour at the piano to complete this moving musical portrait.

In World War One And Pastoral Echoes, at 3pm, reader Frances Coad and pianist Nicky Losseff will combine to reflect on how so much of the poetic response to the First World War evokes the English pastoral tradition of unspoiled landscape and rural life; ideals that were shattered by the despair of war but which became symbols of nostalgic longing.

Poetry and musical settings, performed by student singers, will include the work of Gurney, Finzi, Vaughan Williams, Thomas Hardy, Edmund Blunden and Edward Thomas.

The day will conclude with A War Legacy at 7pm in which Roderick Williams will sing music by Butterworth, Somervell, Elgar, Gurney, Finzi, Ireland, Ives, Farrar and Vaughan Williams to the accompaniment of Peter Seymour's piano.

Tickets can be bought for individual events or a day ticket for all three on 01904 658338 or at ncem.co.uk