THE pace is hotting up once again for this year?s Two Moors Festival ? Classic FM?s festival in the South West.

The festival that was supposed to be a ?one-off? is not only here to stay, but promises to get bigger and more imaginative. It has an energetic education programme and involves the community wherever it can during the October festival week. And this year, that week is October 16-23.

Unlike most festivals which happen during the summer months the Two Moors has opted for October as the best month to hold its concerts.

School terms are in full swing which means an uncluttered Dartmoor and Exmoor for the out-of-season holiday makers. They can enjoy walking amidst the autumnal colours and driving from church to church in pursuit of some of the best chamber music concerts to be heard beyond the Wigmore Hall.

The festival exudes enthusiasm and this year?s opening concert at Torrington is bound to attract eager choral singers to participate in the Two Moors Festival Chorus for Bach?s Magnificat and Cantata 140, ?Wachet Auf? ? if you want to audition for the chorus, email for details.

The chorus will be joined by four A-team soloists, Geraldine MgGreevey, Penelope Walker, Mark Padmore and Neal Davies and the conductor is Simon Ible.

At the other end of the Festival?s spectrum is a production of the opera, Hansel and Gretel, to celebrate Humperdinck?s 150th anniversary.

It will be no mean feat to put this on in a church, but that is exactly what is happening in St Paul?s Church, Tiverton on October 22 and 23 with a star-studded cast for the Witch, Father and Mother. Added to this is a director who had ten years experience singing with Welsh National Opera and an orchestra of eminent players. The roles of Hansel and Gretel are to be sung by local teenage girls and anyone interested in auditioning for these parts (June 29) should get in touch with the festival on 01643 831370.

Bookended between these mammoth events, lies a week of glorious music-making with artists such as Julian Lloyd Webber, the Britten Sinfonia, Leon McCawley, BBC Young Musician of the Year winners and last but not least, the winners of the Festival?s own Young Musicians Platform.

Festival tickets sell fast and it?s worth becoming a Friend of the 2MF in order to make sure you get a good seat. Brochures are available as from July 1. For more details check out http://www.thetwomoorsfestival.com">www.thetwomoorsfestival.com