Following the success of last year's inaugural event, Simon Ible has been invited by the promoters Tavistock Forward to run it again this year. The festival begins on Thursday, April 29 and runs for five days.
Simon, who is the conductor of the Ten Tors Orchestra and the newly appointed director of music for Plymouth University, said: 'We had so much positive feedback from last year that we have decided to make this event an annual festival.'
He said they were delighted with the talent they have attracted to perform at this year's event.
'We have put together a programme that should excite both local and regional music lovers'.
John Taylor, chairman of Tavistock Forward, said: 'We've widened the event this year, it's a bigger festival running for five days instead of four, and running over the first bank holiday weekend, to attract more people into the town.
'From the pilots we ran last year, we've included the sort of things that were well supported last year, for example, the lunchtime jazz in the town hall should be a wonderful event.'
Mr Taylor said he hoped the festival would be great for the people of Tavistock — and also attract visitors into the town during the holiday weekend.
The festival starts on Thursday, April 29 with Tavistock Sings. Choirs from around Tavistock will be showcasing their singing at a special opening event that will also combine the choirs in a performance of a new cantata, The Tavistock Witch by Kelly College director of music Andrew Wilson .
On Friday, April 30 mezzo-soprano Hannah Pedley and pianist Martyn Parkes will give a recital at Kelly College. Hannah is the principal with the New Kent Opera and Martyn Parkes teaches at the Royal Northern College of Music. Their programme will include an eclectic mix of favourite opera arias, English art songs and show songs.
The main event will be the Festival Gala Concert on Saturday, May 1 with the Ten Tors Orchestra and international star violinist Nadia Myerscough. The programme will feature Mendelssohn's emotive Violin Concerto and Vaughan Williams' 5th Symphony.
On Sunday, May 2, jazz is on the lunchtime menu. Star singer Jacqui Dankworth and her Musicians will be playing in Tavistock Town Hall. Jacqui is one of the UK's top jazz vocalists and she is currently celebrating the success of her new album 'As The Sun Shines Down on Me'. A buffet lunch will also be available to those who order tickets in advance.
The St Eustachius Church Choir directed by Pearce Richards will lead the Festival Evensong on Sunday with the music of Stanford, Shaw and Wood.
A Festival Dinner will be also be held on the Sunday at The Bedford Hotel. The guest of honour will be Sarah Walker, president of the Tavistock Music Festival, and Nadia Myerscough will perform Ferdinand the Bull prior to dinner being served.
On Monday, May 3 the South West Early Music Forum hosts a Thomas Tomkins (1573-1656) workshop day for choir and string orchestra. Held at St Eustachius Church, this will culminate in a fabulous final free concert in the early evening. BBC Music Magazine's early music specialist George Pratt will direct the instrumental workshop.
Tickets are available for all events at the Tavistock Tourist Information Centre, Town Hall, Bedford Square, Tavistock. Tel 01822 612938 or Mansbridge & Balment Estate Agents, 9 Brook Street, Tavistock.