Nothing could be more diverse than the programme selected for Pembrokeshire Counselling Service's annual Musical Extravaganza. From Moon River to Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines... from Non Nobis Domine to the Sabre Dance... from Elgar's Chanson de Matin to The Rhythm of Life... from Sweet Rio to A Welsh Folk Song Medley... there is music for all tastes at St. David's Cathedral on Saturday, June 14, 7.30 pm. The concert is the Pembrokeshire Counselling Service's main fund-raising event of 2008. Giving their services free are The Aesculapius Singers; mezzo soprano Kathryn Ashton; The Pembrokeshire Schools Percussion Ensemble, and The Mezin String Quartet. The Percussion Ensemble is made up of 10 musicians, aged 13 to 18, from five secondary schools in the county, with conductor Melanie Walker. Last year the ensemble played in the national finals of the Music for Youth in Birmingham. The Mezin String Quartet was formed in 2002 and takes its name from the 19th century violin played by the quartet's leader, Rebecca Whitehurst. The group has performed at local music festivals as well as other Pembrokeshire venues. Mezzo soprano Kathryn Ashton, of Haverfordwest, trained at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, graduating with honours. Recipient of the Manchester Welsh Society Prize, she has appeared in numerous productions and concerts, and has featured as soloist with local choirs. The Aesculapius Singers are a chamber vocal ensemble, consisting mostly of medical professionals. Conductor is Dr. Catherine Burrell, who trained as a musician before pursuing medical studies. She is lead clinician and an out-of-hours general practitioner for Pembrokeshire's Care-on- Call, Continuing Professional Development co- ordinator for Pembrokeshire and sessional clinical assistant in rheumatology at Withybush Hospital. Said Eileen Bairstow, a founder member of the Pembrokeshire Counselling Service: "The service helps people aged from nine to 90 with a wide range of problems. We require £14,000 a year to run this service and the money helps pay the expenses of our trained voluntary counsellors, who travel all over Pembrokeshire to provide this vital service. Our new 24-hour answer service number is 01437 768708." • Concert tickets, £6 (children £3), can be obtained from St David's Bookshop the Pebbles (01437 720480), and also at the door.
