OXFORD: About 500 pupils are expected to take part in a workshop today to celebrate the 50th birthday of Britten’s War Requiem at the Town Hall, St Aldate’s.

Benjamin Britten created the piece in 1962 for the reconsecration of Coventry Cathedral destroyed in the Second World War.

It combines war poetry from Wilfred Owen with liturgy from the Requiem Mass. Acclaimed young composer Mark Simpson who studied music at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, will speak, ahead of a show this evening at 7.30pm.