How would an acclaimed classical conductor and founder of a choral society and orchestra in Hillingdon celebrate his 60th birthday?

Not quietly, that’s for sure.

Conductor Peter Williams’ birthday coincides with the anniversaries of his founding Hillingdon Choral Society 30 years ago and Hillingdon Philharmonic Orchestra 25 years ago.

So it is no surprise to see him leading the Triple Anniversary Celebration Concert at Cadogan Hall, Sloane Terrace this Friday, July 15.

How does he do it?

Bass-baritone soloist John Cunningham has known Mr Williams for about 30 years.

“Peter Williams is a very talented musician. He enjoys what he does, you can tell,” he said.

The line-up of English and pop music from opera sets the tone for the night with grandeur.

In the first half the ensemble performs Parry’s Blest Pair of Sirens, Elgar’s Nimrod and Pomp and Circumstance No 4, William Lloyd Webber’s Invocation and Vaughan William’s Toward the Unknown Region.

There are solo performances from John Cunningham, John Upperton and Helena Leonard.

Soprano Helena Leonard tops the programme too.

Her successes include understudying the title role of Aida for the Welsh National Opera and Opera Box as well as Lady Macbeth in Verdi’s Macbeth for the Scottish Opera.

Elgar’s Nimrod is frequently used as a tribute on the radio when someone famous dies.

Hillingdon Philharmonic Orchestra chairman Lydia Holland, said: “We’ve had a number of members of both the choir and orchestra pass away over the years and this is to remember them.”

The summer concert’s programme was chosen before the songs for the Royal Wedding were known, but Prince William and Kate Middleton’s ceremony had Crown Imperial and Blest Pair of Sirens too.

“Great minds think alike don’t they? People like the same things at the same time,” Ms Holland said.

The first half is quintessentially British she said, while the second half is all about the opera.

The operatic second half features Strauss’ Overture to Die Fledermaus, Verdi’s As the shadows before the sunlight and Chorus of Hebrew slaves from Nabucco.

It also features Let’s drink to the pleasures of youth from La Traviata, Bizet’s The Holy Temple gleamed, Puccini’s Oh my beloved father and None shall sleep tonight and Mascagni’s Easter Hymn.

The Byzantium-style auditorium has sheer walls and a barrelled roof designed to amplify acoustics for spectacular orchestra performances.

Mr Cunningham expects the 900-seater hall to be full but he is unfazed.

He has performed to big audiences like this one across the country for 35 years.

“I love a big audience,” he said. “It’s what I do for a living. It’s wonderful.

“It’s always really exciting rehearsing with an orchestra and we’ll be there all afternoon before the concert,” he added.

The father of four is looking forward to reuniting with the Hillingdon Choral Society after he left London to live in Yorkshire with his family.

He was delighted when he got the call from Mr Williams asking for a solo item and duet with tenor John Upperton who has worked with the English National Opera, Midsummer Opera, Longborough Festival Opera, Garsington and Birmingham Opera.

Mr Cunningham thinks the audience will recognise familiar songs chosen.

“The audience usually love it,” he said. “It’s really exciting.”

In fact, everyone involved encourages those who don’t know much about classical or opera music to simply enjoy it.

“All kinds of people would certainly enjoy this,” Ms Holland said.

“It’s all popular music, music people would recognise.”

The orchestra has also brought back former members who have moved away for this special concert.

Ms Holland said: “Quite often people are busy and they can’t do some of the concerts but for this one everyone wants to play!”

The orchestra will include more unusual instruments including bass clarinet, contrabassoon and tuba.

Mr Williams founded Hillingdon Choral Society in 1980 and turned Hillingdon’s amateur orchestra into the Hillingdon Philharmonic Orchestra in 1985.

The orchestra meet for four rehearsals before each concert, with three concerts per season throughout the borough.

Their larger concerts have been at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank, Southwark and Coventry cathedrals and two open air concerts at Swakeleys House gardens, Ickenham.

Registered charity Hillingdon Choral Society, partly funded by Hillingdon Arts Association, performs choral works locally with classical carols at Christmas, sacred music at Easter and a lighter summer programme of opera and choral songs from Bach to Vivaldi.

They performed a Three Choir Festival at Hillingdon’s twin town Mantes la Jolie, France, in 2003.

The Choral Society is grateful for a bursary of £2,000 from Ruislip Waitrose and funding transport for a loyal local audience to Sloane Square as part of their 'Music Matters' scheme.

The concert is Friday July 15, 7:30pm at Cadogan Hall, Sloane Terrace, London.

Tickets £10-£20, book 0207 730 4500 Monday-Saturday 9am-7pm. No tickets at the door.