Bringing an extra sense of celebration to a choral concert is almost impossible for a choir that celebrates music to the full on every occasion it sings.

But a near-capacity audience, an orchestra playing sensitively and a chorus in proud possession of its know-how and experience made the Cwmbran Baroque Singers' 40th anniversary concert a special pleasure.

The choir lets its achievements speak for themselves but one of its qualities stems from close fellowship, many choristers having been members from the early days. This concert was dedicated to the memory of a few who have died in the past decade.

The protean genius of Mozart is always worth celebrating and the music at this concert was chosen from different parts of his lamentably short life.

It culminated in a rousing performance of the Requiem, in which celebrated Gwent tenor Don Smith joined guest singers Lynne Bryer (soprano), Flora York Skinner (contralto) and Howard Quilla Croft (bass) in a contrasting but neatly-welded quartet of soloists. Notable was the way conductor Alan Moore dealt with the responsibility of balancing soloists, choir and orchestra, which in amateur choral singing with a professional band (the Welsh Sinfonia) and a mixed foursome is always pleasantly onerous.

Mr Croft was also on duty with choir members Tim Ford, Anne Price Jones and Alyson Jones in the Missa Brevis K.49, a short and sprightly piece but with a spiritual depth that belies the composer's tender years. The quartet remained in situ for two motets, Alma Dei Creatoris and Regina Coeli, holding forth modestly but giving the works an extra lift.