A new Balham choir is bringing the music of the area's most famous composer back home after 130 years.

Chromata is a new chamber choir of 24 voices, which will give its first concert in St Mary's on Balham High Road on Saturday 4 December.

Among the works it will perform will be a motet by Healey Willan. Willan was born in Balham in 1880 and baptised at St Mary's church. He trained as an organist before emigrating to Canada in 1913. There he became a celebrated composer and rose to become Professor of Music at Toronto University. In 1953 he was commissioned to write an anthem for performance at the Coronation in Westminster Abbey.

Willan was a prolific composer, publishing over 800 works, most of them for choirs. But although still very popular throughout North America, his works are rarely performed in the country of his birth. Chromata's founder and director, David Fawcett, who is also Director of Music at St Mary's, wants to change that.

"Including Willan's beautiful motet 'Rise up, my love, my fair one' in our concert is the first step in bringing Balham's very own composer back home. We intend that his music will be a regular feature of our concerts, and hope to play a part in giving it the higher profile it deserves."

Chromata has received the backing of Willan's daughter in Canada. "Mary Willan Mason was pleased to hear of our venture, and wished Chromata every success", said David.

The rest of Chromata's programme for 4 December will feature unaccompanied choral works by composers from the 15th to the 20th centuries, all settings of texts in honour of St Mary. The concert will begin at 7.30pm, and tickets will be available on the door (£10 / £5 concessions).

Based on information supplied by David Fawcett.