SOUTH Cumbria Musical Festival is gearing up for another grand gathering.

The week-long festival of marvellous music and speech, staged at Ulverston's Coronation Hall, celebrates its 40th birthday this year, and opens on Sunday (March 13) with its highly acclaimed brass day, concluding the following Saturday (March 19) with adult choir classes and the glittering Gala Night (7.30pm), featuring the prestigious Esther C Croskery and Aprille C Bonner Performance Award.

One of the evening's special guests will be 17-year-old saxophonist and singer, Ben Lewis, who has been performing locally since the age of six. His first role with an adult society came in 2008 when he played Boy with Turkey in Ulverston Amateur Operatic Society’s production of Scrooge the Musical. Since, Ben has gone on to play many roles and also tried his hand at ‘straight’ drama with Ulverston Outsiders - appearing as Shane Ormonroyd in Brassed Off. He is also a member of the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain (whose alumni include Dame Helen Mirren and Daniel Craig) and will be heading to the prestigious Guildford School of Acting in September to train as an actor-musician for three years. As a vocalist, Ben regularly performs with Ulverston Victoria High School Swing Band and, in 2014, appeared at the Barrow-in-Furness Christmas Lights Switch On, sharing the bill with X-Factor winner Matt Cardle. His involvement with the South Cumbria Musical Festival began at the age of nine, which he entered a novice piano class and was awarded first place.

Formed in 1976, SCMF has developed into one of the most respected competitive events in the country. Well known for its high standards, friendliness and efficient organisation, festival chairman Keith Butcher and his hard-working team continue to give competitors an opportunity to perform on a stage in the beautifully refurbished Coronation Hall venue.