Colchester’s music community is getting together next weekend to raise more money for charity.

Saturday, February 3, marks the return of the very popular Concert for Mayor’s Charities, performed by the Colchester Bach Choir.

Entitled Music For You and consisting of a cornucopia of popular classical choral and orchestral items, the choir has given such a concert for successive mayors since 1994.

This year the Colchester Philharmonic will also be featured performing a programme that includes, among other items, conductor Patrick McCarthy’s particular favourite, Ennio Morricone’s Gabriel’s Oboe from the film The Mission.

The choir will also sing famous choruses by Haydn, Handel, Mozart, Bach and Fauré.

There are several soloists taking part such as Stuart Pinborough and Stephen Hopper who will be playing Vivaldi’s sparkling Concerto for Two Trumpets but of particular interest will be 11-year-old violinist Lui Papena’s performance of the Meditation from Massenet’s Thaïs, which drew warm applause and encouragement from cellist Natalie Clein at her Roman River Festival masterclass.

The concert takes place at St Botolph’s Church, Colchester at 7.30pm with tickets, priced £12 and £5 for those in full-time education, available from Red Lion Books or at the door.

Then on the Sunday the Colchester Forum Rotary Club will be presenting a new concert following on from the cancellation of their pre-Christmas event due to the snow.

Now called Something to Celebrate, and in aid of the Colchester Cancer Centre Campaign, those taking part include the Colchester Military Children’s Choir and multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Lyn Frederick, all compered by Liz Mullen of Forces Radios.

There’s also music by various individual singers and instrumentalists playing a variety of instruments from the accordion, guitar, flute, saxophone and keyboard.

The afternoon of well-known and popular music from the likes of Les Miserables, Cats and Barnum, plus thought-provoking spoken word by local writers and performers, also takes place at St Botolph’s Church in Colchester. Starting at from 3pm, tickets are £7 for adults, £12 for families, available from Mann’s Music in Colchester High Street.