IN one of its most ambitious and innovative projects to date, Armonico Consort is going ‘supersize’ for its new surround sound shows.

Doing exactly what it says on the tin, the Supersize Polyphony 360˚ offers audiences a surround sound experience, with the choir performing big polychoral works from the 16th century.

The project is a collaboration with the 26-strong Choir of Gonville and Caius College Chapel, Cambridge with the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus and Youth Chorus.

There’s also a chance for audience members to learn Tallis’ Spem in Alium, singing alongside the professional choirs in an open ‘Come and Sing’ rehearsal before the concert at Lighthouse Poole next month.

Armonico Consort’s artistic director, Christopher Monks says: “Tallis’ Spem in Alium is a 450-year-old musical work of art and we’re performing it in the way Tallis intended, in glorious surround sound. It was designed to be daring – for both listeners and performers.”

Supersize Polyphony 360˚ is on Saturday, February 2 at 7pm. Tickets: £20. For tickets and information, call 01202 280000

As part of the Supersize Polyphony 360˚ project, Armonico Consort’s singing education programme, AC Academy, will provide school workshops in partnership with local music education hubs in Poole, with SoundStorm. Children will be introduced to the Striggio Mass through three short new pieces written by composer-in-residence, Toby Young.

The pieces will be taught in schools and then sung alongside the professional singers in immersive, in-the-round concert workshops. The project is funded by Arts Council England.