Singers who have won standing ovations for concerts in Spain will be performing at a gala charity concert in Maidstone later this year.

The Maidstone Youth Singers performed several concert dates in Agramunt and Barcelona, while another group, The Maidstone Singers, toured Segovia, Madrid and Turegano as part of the region’s annual festival.

Both groups feature in this year’s International Maidstone Festival of Music and Dance, running from June 13 to July 19.

The event is now in its 21st year and opening night on June 13 will see both groups perform in a Gala Charity Concert, at Mote Hall, in aid of the Heart of Kent Hospice.

The youth singers, together with four secondary schools, will perform in the first half, with works, including Benjamin Britten’s St Nicolas with Martin Hindmarsh, the conductor of Maidstone Choral Union as the tenor soloist.

The second half features the Maidstone Singers as the core group with a community choir and orchestra, performing Karl Jenkins’ new work the Stabat Mater.

Rachel Lloyd, from Maidstone, will be performing as soloist.

Spanish Music groups are scheduled to visit Maidstone next year, performing at the 2010 international festival, following the visits by Maidstone singers this year.

Young singers interested in joining Maidstone Youth Singers can contact Jane Anderson on janieanderson54@hotmail.co.uk