ONCE again the Westmorland Orchestra provides the curtain raiser to a Mary Wakefield Westmorland Music Festival.

Under the baton of conductor Richard Howarth, the highly regarded ensemble opens this year's biennial festival with Mendelssohn's overture, The Hebrides (or Fingal’s Cave as it is sometimes known), written in 1830 after 19-year-old Felix returned from a visit to Scotland.

In the soloist's spotlight for the Saturday, March 14 (7.30pm) concert at Kendal Leisure Centre's Westmorland Hall, will be Ian Buckle, performing Brahms' Piano Concerto no 2.

Ian has had a remarkably varied musical career, as soloist, accompanist, chamber musician, orchestral pianist and teacher. He has appeared with conductors Carl Davis, Elgar Howarth, and Jan Pascal Tortelier, among others, and has played with many well-known orchestras. Later this year Ian will be performing a commemorative programme of piano music, poems and songs entitled Shropshire - and other Lads at the Ribble Valley Piano Week, along with former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion.

Meanwhile, the second half of the Westmorland concert features Beethoven’s compelling and energetic Symphony no 7 in A.

Orchestra leader will be Pamela Redman.

Tickets are available at Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre box office on 01539-725133 and at the door.

The orchestra is always looking to enrol new patrons. Details are available from patrons secretary, Tessa Jones, on 01524-412837, or email to patrons@westmorlandorchestra.org.uk. For further information visit www.westmorlandorchestra.org.uk.

Elsewhere, the Mary Wakefield Westmorland Music Festival hosts a rock, pop and jazz fun day also on Saturday, March 14, at Kendal's Queen Katherine School Music Suite; the festival's adjudicated classes run from Monday-Thursday, March 16-19, at Kendal's town hall, United Reformed Church and the QES music suite, with the Festival Showcase Concert and Jim Noble Award Finals on Friday, March 20 at Kendal Town Hall (7pm). The Choral Celebration is on Saturday, March 21 at Kendal's Stricklandgate Methodist Church, with morning and afternoon sessions.

The festival's choral concerts follow in July - Come and Sing, July 11, Herdwyck Consort concert, July 11, and Dvorak's Stabat Mater performance on July 12. The schools events come later on October 16.