INGRID Surgenor has performed for television and radio, tutored well-known opera stars and appeared in concert halls worldwide, yet she still thinks the Victoria Hall takes some beating.

"You have this wonderful hall up here, it's incredible," says the talented pianist and opera coach.

"I don't know if you're aware, but it was Sir Thomas Beecham's favourite hall as well, and if I mention it to anyone I work with they all think it's a fantastic venue."

As a senior coach at Glyndebourne and principal opera coach and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music in London, Ingrid is in great demand. The Belfast-born musician, however, still finds time to work with less high profile choirs such as Audley Male Voice Choir, which is appearing at the Victoria Hall on Sunday.

"I think people seem to be in awe of Welsh male voice choirs, but I first worked with Audley back in 1989 when Dennis O'Neill sang and it really is a top male voice choir," says Ingrid, who now lives in Cardiff and was awarded the MBE in 2000 for her services to music.

"The concerts the choir put on are very professional and their musical director Philip Broadhurst continuously includes some exceptional singers."

For this concert the choir will be joined by South Korean tenor Ji-Min Park and Welsh soprano Camilla Roberts.

Ingrid says: "Philip's foresight has brought so many famous singers to perform at the Victoria Hall with the choir.

"A good many years ago they had Bryn Terfel when he was affordable and I think Ji-Min Park is going to be a similar story. He is only 30 and is going to be singing at La Scala and Sydney Opera House, and he's already won a number of major awards. The same can be said for Camilla. She sings for the Welsh National Opera and is a name to watch out for."

Describing their programme as a collection of Classic FM favourites, Ingrid is looking forward to accompanying the soloists in their popular operatic numbers and familiar show songs. Ji-Min and Camilla will also join the choir in a couple of massed items.

"They are a pair of top class quality singers and they should provide some brilliant music," she concludes. "I work at Covent Garden and Glyndebourne, but my favourite concerts are ones like these, especially when you get to perform in a hall like the one in Hanley. You don't realise how lucky you are."

Audley Male Voice Choir can be seen at the Victoria Hall, Hanley, on Sunday at 7.30pm. Call 0844 871 7649.