A POPULAR Weymouth concert series is to undergo a rebrand and expand its programme.

Weymouth Lunchtime Chamber Concerts (WLCC) will be bringing more high-quality classical music and musicians to the popular Dorset seaside resort. 

The series, founded by Weymouth-born pianist Duncan Honeybourne, has become well known as a platform for young professionals and established artists, and is now taking its activities up a gear.

Last year’s summer concert, featuring chamber musicians coached by Duncan at the Royal Academy of Music Junior Department, was such a success that this year a special summer series of four extra Sunday afternoon concerts is being presented under the organisation’s new name Chamber Music Weymouth.

In addition to two Young Artist Showcase events on July 9 and 16, Chamber Music Weymouth will also present a special concert of sea shanties and music inspired by or evocative of the sea and coastal landscapes with Lyme Bay Moonrakers and Duncan Honeybourne (July 14).

The summer series will conclude on July 28 with a song recital given by baritone John Barker and pianist Helen Cawthorne.

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Artistic Director Duncan said: “We’ve always made a point of welcoming young musicians, and last year’s young piano trio thoroughly enjoyed their trip to the seaside, eating ice cream on the beach after playing Mendelssohn to a large, supportive and enthusiastic audience.

"Everyone loved the event, and there were calls for a repeat, so this year we decided to expand the enterprise.”

Frances Wilson, herself a major voice in the piano world through her blog ‘The Cross-Eyed Pianist’, joined Duncan in 2019 as Concerts Manager.

Together they plan to put their stretch of the Jurassic Coast firmly on the musical map.

Frances says: “We have enjoyed record audiences since we returned to our regular monthly concerts following the challenges of the covid lockdowns, and we look forward to capitalising on this enthusiasm for what we do here with an expanded programme of concerts and other related events as we approach our 25th anniversary in 2027.”

Thanks to a generous donation from the Weymouth Music Club, which closed in 2023 after presenting concerts in the town for almost 80 years, Chamber Music Weymouth will, in addition to the regular monthly lunchtime concert series, offer further opportunities to young musicians at the start of their professional careers.

Future plans also include a music festival, piano competition and masterclasses/piano courses.

Full details of all concerts/events and a detailed history of the series can be found at weymouthchamberconcerts.com