THE Ebor Singers look to the past and present in their New Horizons concert on Saturday at the National Centre for Early Music, York. In the 7.30pm programme of sacred music will be works by Elizabethan composer William Byrd and contemporary composers James Macmillan and Kerry Andrew.

Originally intended for Roman Catholics worshipping in secret for fear of their life, Byrd’s five-part Mass will be set alongside Kerry Andrew’s York Mass, commissioned by The Ebor Singers in 2008.

“William Byrd’s Mass reflects the high point of the English polyphonic style,” says Paul Gameson, the York choir’s musical director.

“Yet it was written at a time of great risk, not only for Catholics, who could not worship in public, but also Byrd himself, who was a musician at the court of Protestant Elizabeth I. Byrd didn’t directly know York’s most infamous son, Guy Fawkes, but would have sympathised with his cause.”

Andrew’s York Mass will be given its first British concert performance, having been premiered in a York Minster service and subsequently recorded by the choir.

“Kerry’s musical style draws on a wide range of influences and vocal styles and is accessible for performers and listeners alike,” says Paul. “However, like Byrd, she remains focussed on the relationship between words and music of the mass.”

Motets by Byrd and Robert Parsons, Herbert Howells and James Macmillan complete the programme as part of The Ebor Singers’ 20th year of concerts in York.

In a busy time for the choir, they have just completed two recordings of music from the time of the English Civil War and the Siege of York in 1644. They will continue their anniversary celebrations in York on June 27 at 1pm with a free outdoor recital at Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate, and a concert on July 11 at 7.30pm at St Olave’s Church, Marygate. That night, they will be joined by past members of the choir for a programme of choral favourites by Handel, Elgar, Rachmaninov, Rutter and Whitacre.

Tickets for New Horizons are on sale on 01904 638558 or at ncem.co.uk