Following on from their First World War Centenary concerts earlier in the year, Ipswich Choral Society mark another centenary, the birth of Leonard Bernstein. The Bernstein Centenary Celebration will be held on 20 October at St Mary-le-Tower church. Leonard Bernstein (25 August 1918 – 14 October 1990) was a world renowned musician, conductor and composer. He served as Music Director of the New York Philharmonic and conducted the world's major orchestras. A highlight of the concert will be a performance of Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, commissioned by the Very Reverend Walter Hussey for the 1965 Southern Cathedrals Festival. Another highlight will be discovering more about Leonard Bernstein with Ipswich Choral Society President Cem Mansur who will give a talk during the interval. Cem studied with Bernstein at the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute and has since gone on to work with major orchestras and opera houses across the world. Ipswich Choral Society will also be performing settings of two psalms ‘The voice of melody’ and ‘Idols’ by British-French-Israeli composer Nimrod Borenstein, whose music is widely performed throughout Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan. The BBC Philharmonic Orchestra recently performed the world premiere of his second Cello Concerto. A retiring collection will be made after the concert for Ipswich Choral Society’s nominated charity for 2018, Diabetes UK, Ipswich & District Support Group. Their goal is to provide support and advice to people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes as well as their family and friends. Bernstein Centenary Celebration Featuring Bernstein's Chichester Psalms and talk "Studying with Bernstein" by Cem Mansur Robin Walker, ICS Music Director David Poulter, Organ Daniel Law, Piano Retiring collection in aid of Diabetes UK, Ipswich & District Support Group Interval refreshments available