MUSIC from leading classical musicians will be welcoming in Advent in Bolton at the weekend.

This Sunday, a host of top soloists and musicians will be spreading festive cheer at the Joy to the World concert.

Bolton Parish Church is the setting for the event, led Bolton Choral Union (BCU).

The programme, under the baton of musical director Michael Greenhalgh, will feature a performance from harpist Anna Christensen.

Christensen has played for and with big names including Russell Watson, Katherine Jenkins, Timothy West and Prunella Scales, Rudolph Nureyev, Jose Carreras, Carl Davis, Midge Ure.

She also performed Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in France and has played in front of various members of the royal family including Diana, Princess of Wales and Prince Charles.

Christensen has performed with some of the country’s leading orchestras including s the Hallé and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and has appeared in the West End being involved with hit shows including The Sound of Music and The King and I.

Stuart Barnes from BCU said: “There will be some lovely musical performances; we have a wonderful soprano soloist and Anna Christensen who is an absolutely star quality harpist.

“She has played with a great number of orchestras and performers and we are delighted to welcome her to Bolton.

“Our organist Simon Passmore is also very well respected in his field.

“We are delighted to present a wonderful programme full of star performers, we just need the audience to come along an enjoy it now.”

Joining the members of BCU will be a woodwind ensemble and the strings of the Northern Chamber Orchestra.

Soloists alongside Anna Christensen will be Preston soprano Helen Latham, David Greenhalgh on flute, Lindsay Kershaw on oboe, and organist Simon Passmore, who has given solo piano recitals at numerous festivals across the UK and abroad with orchestras including Northern Sinfonia’s Young Sinfonia, RNCM’s Brand New Orchestra and Vacation Chamber Orchestra.

The programme will include well known carols for the audience to join in with, such as O Come, O Come Emmanuel and The Holly and the Ivy.

Choir and soloists will be singing Rejoice from Handel’s Messiah, Rutter’s Candlelight Carol and On Christmas Night by Bob Chilcott.

Bolton Choral Union was formed in 1887, and is in its 129th season.

The Sunday evening event starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10, available from Booth’s Music in Bolton, or call 01257 702979, and on the door from 7pm.