FOR the second time in two years, I've driven home to Oxford humming tunes and tapping my toes after Janice Thompson's Summer Gala.

From the moment the curtain rises on the massed choir, I'm leaning forward picking out the future stars. How does Janice Thompson do it? Even the tiniest children open their mouths and sing so that you can hear every syllable.

Even those who don't go on to stardom can't fail to benefit from such an experience of stagecraft.

Performance art doesn't get much better than this. I'll be back in 2004 to hear Swindon sing again.

Elizabeth North

Oxford