One of England's finest church choirs can be heard in Bermuda this week when the men's and boys' choir of St. Thomas-on-the-Bourne arrives for a series of appearances.

Thanks to the efforts of bass soloist Giles Schofield, joint managing director of Bermudian reinsurer Stockton Re's London office, the visit to Bermuda has been added to the choir's tour of top venues in New York and at Martha's Vineyard. In New York, the 16 boy trebles and 18 men have performed at St.

Patrick's Cathedral, St. Bartholomew's and at St. Thomas's Church on Fifth Avenue.

In Bermuda, the choir is scheduled to sing at the Anglican Cathedral and will give a special concert in St. Mark's Parish Church.

The choir is directed by the young choral conductor David Swinson who began his own career as head chorister at Magdalen College, Oxford, going on to win a series of top prizes at the Royal College of Music and was then awarded an organ scholarship at Jesus College, Cambridge. As a soloist he has appeared with the Bavarian Radio Orchestra and toured Europe, and has performed with choirs all over the UK and Europe.

Guest artist Peter Wright, who is the Organist and Director of Music at Southwark Cathedral, is also well known as a recitalist and choral conductor who broadcasts regularly on radio and television in Europe and the US. Besides fielding a packed round of concerts and performances, the choir has received critical acclaim for its two CDs, which were released last year.

In September, the choir will be performing in the 12,000-seater London Arena as part of an Elvis Presley tribute concert, along with such stars as Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Cher and Cliff Richard. "We are thrilled to have been asked to take part in such a wonderful concert,'' says Mr. Swinson. "With the increasing crossover between classical and pop music, it's important for musicians to be versatile.'' Details of the Bermuda visit have been arranged by musicians Ruth Henderson and Jean Motyer. The St. Thomas-on-the-Bourne Choir can be heard on Saturday, August 2, at the Cathedral Hall in A Meal with musical Entertainment at 7 p.m.

Choir to visit Bermuda Tickets at $10 may be reserved by calling 236-3979, or at the door. The choir will perform Sung Eucharist on Sundary, August 3, at 9.30 a.m. in the Anglican Cathedral and will also sing Choral Mattins at 11 a.m. The choir will present a Concert in St. Mark's Church, Smith's on Tuesday, August 5, commencing at 8 p.m.

David Swinson and Peter Wright will also give a lunchtime organ recital in the Cathedral on Tuesday, August 5 at 12 noon, when their programme will include music by Bach, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Cesar Frank and Dupre.

TOP CHOIR FOR BERMUDA -- The Choir of St. Thomas-on-the-Bourne, Surrey, England, completes a tour of New England with a visit to Bermuda this week.