AN exciting new series of concerts for Kelly College Concert Society is opened next Wednesday, September 25, by the Zephyr Ensemble of London.

The ensemble was formed five years ago at the Royal College of Music, where it now holds a Junior Fellowship, and has won acclaim for performances here and abroad. In October it will give its second Wigmore Hall recital.

The group plays music for flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn and bassoon.

The programme will include 'Three Shanties' by Malcolm Arnold, 'Six Bagatelles' by Ligeti and 'Mississippi Five' by Jim Parker, as well as works by Nielsen, Ibert and Farkas. This concert is sponsored by the Tillett Trust.

On October 9 there will be a 'Goose Fair Special'. The singer and broadcaster, Lucie Skeaping, accompanied by Douglas Wootton, will take a light hearted look at 300 years of popular songs, ballads and anecdotes, with lute, guitar and violin.

Peter Cigleris, clarinet, and Clive Jenkins, piano, give the concert on November 6. They are already well known to local audiences for their wide ranging programmes and virtuoso playing.

On January 15 the dynamic double bass player, Dominic Seldis, and pianist, James Pearson, will provide an evening of superb playing mixed with humour. Dominic is principal double bass of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and recently presented a very successful programme on Radio 4.

The concert on February 12 is sponsored by the Countess of Munster Trust. Pianist, Jill Morton, made her professional debut in 1994 and has performed extensively throughout Great Britain. Her repertoire includes works from Bach to Shostakovich.

The final programme in the series will be given by the Dante String Quartet on March 19, sponsored by the Foster Trust. The quarter has made many appearances here and abroad since its formation in 1995 and has recorded several CDs.

All concerts take place on Wednesdays at 7.45pm in the Melvin Hall, Kelly College, Tavistock.

Tickets are £8 or £6 (concession price) or you can purchase a money-saving season ticket.