RISING Tavistock rock stars The Rumble Strips will be one of the big attractions at this year's Tavistock Sings festival. The Tavistock music and arts festival will feature music ranging from opera, classical, jazz and choral to rock. Classical music will include a new work from Andrew Wilson 'Sir Richard's Cap; a tale of the Tamar' and a new arrangement especially written for the festival by violinist Madeleine Mitchell of Elgar's Salut d'amour. Artistic director Simon Ible said: 'We have a stunning and exciting programme of music events that complements a festival brimming over with exhibitions, poetry and film'. Based on the theme 'Land and Water', the official opening will be by the Duke of Bedford on Saturday, April 26 at 12.30pm at the Portrait Room of the Bedford Hotel, where there will also be one part of the festival art exhibition. The exhibition will be open daily from 10am to 5pm until May 5. The second part of the exhibition, with works by Judy Barnes, will be at the Westall Art and Design Centre, Kelly College, daily until May 10, excluding Sundays and Bank Holiday Monday. A photographic exhibition will be held until May 30 at The Wharf. The Rumble Strips, including three former Tavistock College students, have been causing a stir on the live music circuit. Their gig will be at the Wharf on Saturday, May 3 at 8pm. Festival chairman Christopher Kirwin said the committee hoped the Rumble Strips would emulate the success that Seth Lakeman had had last year. They mix thundering brass and drums with singer Charlie Waller's soaring vocals and have self- deprecating lyrics with uplifting melodies and pop- hooks. Their supporting act will be Oli n Clive. Local bands will also be showcased at the Wharf on May 4, including Indigo Nights and Far from Friday. Concerts at St Eustachius Church during the week- and-a-half festival will include school choirs, the Ten Tors orchestra, and a performance of Mozart's Requiem following a day's choral workshop. Also on the musical front, a Night at the Opera, a chamber orchestra concert at Kelly College, along with a new event to the festival — a showcase of six singing ensembles from the area at Tavistock College on Tuesday, April 29 at 7.30pm. Stannary Brass Band will play in Bedford Square at 10.30am on the opening day and Blowzone during the artists' market on May 3 in the square. On Monday, May 5 there will be the chance to welcome the day with music and dancing at Merrivale Stone Circle at 5.15am, followed by breakfast at the Wharf. On the literary side, there will be a travel writing workshop, poetry and prose readings and a poetry workshop. Award-winning short films will be shown at the Wharf, which will also have jazz and acoustic cafes. An art lecture entitled Rivers of Paint and a talk on the raising of the Mary Rose complete the wide spectrum of events. Programmes are available locally, or visit http://www.tavistockmusic.co.uk">www.tavistockmusic.co.uk