The rather grand title is Scala Regni Caelestis, the name given during the Renaissance period to the first six notes of the musical scale. Because of music's ability to transport and inspire, the steps of the scale became known as the stairway to heaven. 

The centre-piece of the programme is Palestrina's Missa Ut Re Mi Sol known as the Hexachord Mass because it's all built around the six notes of the major scale. There are other songs and motets that play with the sol-fa sequence. And we'll also be singing a couple of pieces associated with St Cecilia, whose feast day falls on November 22nd; and one or two just about the joy of singing.

The music stretches from the middle-ages to the 17th Century, and composers include Palestrina, Josquin, Vecchi, Lassus, Tomkins, Crecquillon, Senfl and others.