IN A coup for the Two Moors Festival the 'Military Wives Choir' will be performing in Tavistock on October 18.

This prestigious group of singers, stars of the BBC hit show 'The Choir', will share their programme with the well-known brass ensemble 'Quintessence', who are expected to raise the roof with their fanfares in between songs sung by the choir, including 'For the Beauty of the Earth', 'Barlow Sing' and 'Over the Rainbow'.

Following the Number One success of their Christmas single last year, 'Wherever You Are', the album 'In My Dreams' and playing for high profile events all over the country, including the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, the Military Wives, formed from wives and girlfriends of military personnel from RMB Chivenor and the Royal Citadel, Plymouth, will perform for the festival at St Eustachius Church under the baton of John MacDonald.

Churches across Dartmoor and Exmoor are providing venues for the 30 concerts taking place this year during the Two Moors Festival.

Another exciting event will be Hatherleigh Church hosting the BBC Radio 3 'Live in Concert' live relay on October 15. 'Guilded Goldbergs' will feature a recomposition of J S Bach's 'Goldberg Variations' by Robin Holloway, played by eminent pianists, Ashley Wass and Huw Watkins.

The festival has had a marked effect on business in an off-season period of the year and has had a profound influence on raising the cultural awareness of the south west.

Musically speaking, artists at the highest and most eminent level are finding themselves on a 'waiting list' and at the up-and-coming end of the scale, the standard of the Young Musicians Plarform competition has not only risen dramatically but also attracts entries from across the entire region.

Classic FM's advertising input has had a big effect on the festival's profile as well as awareness of culture in the southwest. 

To find out more go to http://www.thetwomoorsfestival.com">www.thetwomoorsfestival.com or contact the Box Office on 01643 831006.