The trust’s anniversary happily coincided with The Sixteen’s 11th Choral Pilgrimage, for which the group’s conductor and founder, Harry Chistophers, decided to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the death of the Spanish Renaissance composer, Tomas Luis de Victoria with the programme Hail, Mother of the Redeemer.

The Minster was filled to capacity and provided a perfect setting for this 16th Century work.

Victoria was a mix of six people rolled into one: a scholar, mystic, priest, singer, organist and composer, so he certainly knew what he was doing when writing choral music.

The ensemble — all soloists in their own right — was just the right medium to champion this wonderful music.

Their performance was delivered with precision and elegance and the interweaving of the different parts created an exquisite tapestry of sound. The effect was ethereal and, from the opening’s Salve Regina to the final Litaniae Beatae Mariae, one felt almost transported into another world.

The choir were master craftsmen at interpreting this sound too. Singing as they would speak, they cleverly exaggerate the lines for today’s modern audience, most of whom do not have an understanding of Latin.

All profits from Thursday’s concert, which was attended by trust patrons, the Rt Rev Paul Butler, Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, and Judge Tony Mitchell, will go towards work that churches in Nottinghamshire desperately need.

If you are interested in taking part in events or would like to know about ways of supporting the trust, contact the secretary on 01909 472324.

You can also keep up-to-date through their website www.nottshistoricchurchtrust.org.uk