A GROUP of young musicians who began their musical training in Chippenham will return to their home town to perform a concert in aid of two local charities.

The classical concert on Saturday, July 18, entitled Great Composers, is being organised by former Hardenhuish School head girl Rebecca Sharp and former Sheldon School student Jacob Byrne, now both 22.

They put on a concert this time last year, Around the world in 80 minutes, which was attended by nearly 120 people and raised £1,100 for Dorothy House. This year’s proceeds will be split between the hospice and the Bath Royal United Hospital’s Forever Friends appeal.

Mezzo soprano Rebecca lives in Monkton Park in Chippenham and will sing in the concert with her mum Susan Coates.

Rebecca said: “This is a cause which is particularly close to my heart, as a close family member is terminally ill and under the care of both of these wonderful institutions.”

Great Composers will also showcase pianist Jacob Byrne, saxophonist Emma Jones and Nicholas Goodall of the operatic ensemble Opera Sulis, all of whom were part of last year's concert and have not performed together since.

A new addition this time will be cellist Lorna Davis, who after Hardenhuish School went to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

Rebecca is hoping to continue concert programming as a job after she graduates from Oxford with a degree in French this year.

She said: “It will be a proper reunion. The feedback last time was very positive and I’m really looking forward to having the chance to raise as much money for charity, if not even more.”

"We wanted a theme that would allow us to have a wide variety of music that would appeal to many different people. There will definitely be some Schuman, Strauss and Mozart in there.”

Great Composers is at St Andrew’s Church in Market Place, Chippenham at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10, or £8 concessions, and are available to reserve on 07725 959098 or at wegottickets.com