There will be about 40 people performing, including the choir, a flute solo and a violin solo in addition to a number of singing solos.

Music will cover a wide range of genres from composers including Campion, Purcell, Handel, Gluck, and Schubert, through to modern singers such as Billy Joel.

Choir director Mary Mitchell said that the show takes its name from a piece by Henry VIII, who most people know for his many wives but also made music.

“We will sing that song, gentlemen of the period who were going to be noblemen or king were brought up to be quite proficient in the arts,” she said. “It’s a good title and it’s his advice on living well.”

And added that his work will be among the English work featured in the concert and that it’s a country that’s often underestimated when it comes to classical music.

“It’s a very mixed program, because we’re doing some very early English music like Henry VIII and from the 16^th and 17^th century, but we’re also doing more pop music (American Songbook type) and folk music,” she said.

“There was a big period in English music, Campion and Purcell are composers from way back, and you don’t really think of England as a country for classical music.

“Most people think of Germany, France and Russia, but the English back then were there.”

The Cudgegong Choir has been going for nine years, has about 50 people on the roll and is open to anybody of any age.

They aim for a wide range of styles and periods, dating as far back as the ninth century with Gregorian chants up to the 21^st century.

“We’ve got a huge range of ages, backgrounds and styles,” Mrs Mitchell said.

‘Pastime with Good Company’ will be held at 2.30pm on Sunday, August 6.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children, available at the door, for more information contact Mary Mitchell on 6372 0155 or 0431 991 743.