ALL things being equal there shouldn't be an empty seat in Kendal Leisure Centre's Westmorland Hall on December 10 as one of the region's rising music stars takes to the stage.

Saxophonist Jess Gillam makes her Lakeland Sinfonia Concert Society debut performing Dave Heath's concerto for soprano saxophone, The Celtic, in the society's 2016/2017 concert series.

The Ulverston born and bred sax sensation was one of the BBC Young Musician of the Year 2016 finalists and provided television viewers with one of the most accomplished individual performances in the illustrious competition's 38-year history.

Conducted by distinguished musician and another Lakeland favourite Wyn Davies, the sinfonia society's subscription concert - one of six subscription concerts out of the series of eight concerts - also features the Rossini Overture: La Cenerentola, Arensky Variations on a Theme of Tchaikovsky, Haydn's symphony The Clock and Walton's Façade Suite no 2.

Meanwhile, opening the new Lakeland Sinfonia Concert Society series at the Westmorland Hall on Saturday (October 8) will be the Royal Northern Sinfonia, with highly regarded director Julian Rachlin on the podium.

As well as direct Julian is one of the most exciting and respected violinists of our time and steps into the spotlight for Mozart's Violin Concerto no 3 in G major, sandwiched between Tchaikovsky’s brilliant Polonaise from Eugene Onegin and the Russian composer's powerful and personal fifth symphony.

During the past 27 years, Julian has been captivating audiences around the world with his distinctively rich sound, superb musicianship and outstanding interpretations. He has established close relationships with many of the most prestigious conductors and orchestras. For 12 years, Julian has been leading the internationally renowned Julian Rachlin and Friends festival in Dubrovnik, Croatia, a platform for creative and vibrant projects with leading musicians and actors.

His first season as the Royal Northern's principal guest conductor was in 2015/16.

Born in Lithuania in 1974, Julian emigrated to Vienna in 1978. He studied violin with the eminent Boris Kuschnir at the Vienna Conservatory and took private lessons with Pinchas Zukerman. He gained international acclaim overnight in 1988 by winning the Young Musician of the Year Award at the Eurovision Competition in Amsterdam. He then became the youngest soloist ever to play with the Vienna Philharmonic, making his debut under Riccardo Muti.

Julian’s also a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and enjoys teaching young musicians.

Next in the series is the Royal Northern Sinfonia and Chorus concert on November 5, which promises to be another series highlight and a rare opportunity to hear the renowned RNS choristers.

Conducted by Alexandre Bloch with soprano, Malin Christensson, and baritone, Benjamin Appl, the programme includes Mendelssohn's A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Overture Op 21, Intermezzo, Nocturne and Scherzo, plus works by Faure.

The Halle once again graces the Westmorland Hall in LSCS's first concert of 2017 on Saturday, January 21, featuring cellist, Jian Wang; the European Union Chamber Orchestra, performs on February 11; Bradley Creswick returns with the Royal Northern Sinfonia (this time without the chorus) on March 11; and arguably the UK's finest clarinettist, Emma Johnson, shares the stage with the Lakeland Sinfonia conducted by Philip Ellis, on April 1.

And what better way to conclude the series on April 29, than with a performance by the masterful BBC Philharmonic joined by terrific violinist Tasmin Little.

All performances are on Saturdays starting at 7.30pm.

Telephone bookings for the Halle and BBC Philharmonic concerts, which are outside of the subscription series on 0333-666-3366.

For subscription concert bookings visit www.lakelandsinfonia.org.uk.