An ever-popular Music for Youth Concert will once again be attended by Dorset resident and national treasure Martin Clunes.

The Dorset Chamber Orchestra will welcome the Doc Marten star to the concert on Saturday, March 18 at St Mary’s Church, Edward Rd, Dorchester.

Martin Clunes will narrate Saint-Saens’ timeless classic, Carnival of the Animals.

The Beaminster resident is no stranger to supporting events in the Dorset community, regularly appearing at Weldmar Hospicecare's annual summer fete in Dorchester and recently switching on Christmas lights in Bradpole near Bridport raising money for charity and growing a field of sunflowers at his farm which were sold in aid of local children's hospice Julia's House. 

The family concert starts at 4pm and features young soloists from Dorset and the Royal Academy of Music, and will inspire any budding young musicians in the audience.

The concert also includes music from Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Walter Brewster will conduct and soloists will be Ava Klass, Mia Wepener and Mia Wright.

Mia is a Year 10 student currently studying at the Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester. She began to play clarinet at the age of nine and quickly found success, winning local prizes and competitions.

Ava is 15-years-old and began playing piano at the age of four. At 6, she took up the cello achieving her diploma at 13. Ava’s piano performances include playing at The Royal Albert Hall for King Charles III as well as alongside Lang Lang in a music video. Ava is delighted to be making her debut performance as a member of the Royal Academy of Music junior department.

Mia started piano lessons at the age of four with her mother, Salome Wepener. She subsequently received occasional tuition from the renowned concert pianist Ben Schoeman and has been attending the Junior Royal Academy of Music studying under Sarkis Zakarian since 2020.

Mia also plays the violin and enjoys ensemble work with other musicians at the Junior Academy and her school, where she is a music scholar.

Tickets are available via the website www.dorsetchamberorchestra.org at £13 for adults and £1 for 18s and under.