WORLD-CLASS musicians will be appearing in Marlborough in the forthcoming season of College Subscription Concerts.

The chairman of the concert society is Robin Nelson who is in his final year as director of music at Marlborough College.

Mr Nelson stressed that the annual series of concerts was not just an internal, college-based activity but for the whole community to enjoy.

The concert society has been in existence for 61 years and was formed originally to bring classical music as spiritual relief to students and teachers during the Second World War.

Over the ensuing decades, the concerts in Marlborough have featured legendary names like Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears as well as the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Adrian Boult and virtuoso oboist Leon Goossens.

Variety has been the watchword in recent years with a typical season including a world-class pianist, a symphony orchestra, a brass band, cathedral choir in the college chapel and international soloists.

In recent seasons the performers have included Kennedy (formerly known as Nigel Kennedy), Evelyn Glennie and the Black Dyke Band.

The new season that starts on September 22 has a strong French theme and it opens with a concert by top French pianist Jean-Philippe Collard whose repertoire will include Debussy, Ravel and Mussorgsky.

On October 13, soprano soloist Elizabeth Atherton will join the English Chamber Orchestra conducted by Benjamin Wallflisch.

Sunday November 10's concert will feature violinist Chloe Hanslip and pianist Charles Owen.

Next year the programme will feature the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, and a concert by the Jacques Loussier Trio. The season will be brought to an end at Salisbury Cathedral with a gala choral concert.

Season tickets cost £35 or £25 for students, from Mr B Wallis, treasurer, Old Music School, Marlborough College, Marlborough SN8 1PA. Single concert tickets can be bought from Robins World Travel and the White Horse Bookshop in Marlborough or from Devizes Books. Further inquiries should be directed to the college music department on (01672) 892481.