MIDDAY music is back in the spotlight with leading players lined up and high hopes of sell-out shows.

Yes, it’s that time of the year when Kendal Midday Concert Club opens its doors for a new season of Wednesday lunchtime concerts.

Although, the standard of musicianship is increasing and audience figures have been maintained over the years, the club has found that financial support from outside is declining.

Masterminding the programme is artists secretary Elizabeth Howe, who skilfully balances the books between hefty fees for the musicians and potential concert takings.

She told me that help from the Arts Council had dried up and the Frieda Scott Fund ceased its financial contribution a couple of years ago.

However, Elizabeth added that the Westmorland Arts Trust had sponsored one concert for this series, Tom Powney’s Hotter shoes had paid for the printing of the new brochure with James Cropper plc supplying the paper.

“Artists fees are increasing as are admin costs and there is only so much you can charge for a one-hour lunchtime concert,” explained Elizabeth.

Nevertheless, she pointed out that KMCC remained one of the best of its kind in the UK, with quality performers queuing up to play Kendal, including former BBC Young Musician of the Year Emma Johnson, one of the finest instrumentalists of her generation, who was awarded an MBE in 1996 to add to her ever-growing list of accolades.

“Emma’s agent just rang up and said she very much wanted to come to the midday,” exclaimed Elizabeth.

“Which is really good.”

Prize-winning cellist Natalie Clein and top rank pianist John Lenehan will share the town hall stage with classy clarinettist Emma on November 4.

Opening the midday season at Kendal Town Hall on Wednesday, October 7 (1pm), will be Heath String Quartet, formed in 2002 at Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music and since picked up many prizes from the Tromp International Quartet competition in Eindhoven to the laureate of the Geneva International String Quartet gathering.

The London Bridge Piano Quartet (featuring extraordinary cellist Kate Gould) perform on October 21; outstanding pianist Libor Novacek travels to Kendal on November 18, and the expressive foursome of the Galeazzi Ensemble invite the midday audience to share their world of period instruments on December 2.

The first half of the 2009/2010 series concludes on December 16, with the exciting quartet of award-winning harpists - Four Girls Four Harps.

Meanwhile, midday part two gets off to an exceptional start on January 6 with the Northern Sinfonia.

By the way, as well as a first class musical menu, the club also hits the right notes with its popular snack lunches, which are available from 11.50am.