High-class musicians set to light up festival

KATHRYN RUDGE

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

MUSICIANS from around the UK will be descending on Saddleworth for eight concerts in a summer festival.

The Uppermill Summer Music Festival will run from July 9 to 16.

Saturday's opening concert at 12.15pm will be given by the sensational mezzo soprano Kathryn Rudge, a BBC New Generation Artist, who will be making her debut at the London Proms this summer.

Festival director and Oldham-born pianist, Duncan Glenday, who will be accompanying Kathryn in a programme of songs from stage and screen, said: "We are all looking forward to an exciting week of music-making and it's impossible to single out any one concert, such is the calibre of the musicians who will be coming together for this wonderful celebration.

"As well as welcoming Kathryn, we also have the Scott Brothers' Piano Duo, a virtuoso Canadian violinist flying in from Brussels, the Northern Brass Quintet featuring local trumpeter Dave Moore and not one, but two prize-winning string quartets of international quality!"

The festival will also be running a young musicians' competition to showcase some of our region's up and coming talent, and encouraging more junior players in free pre-concert events. The final of the festival competition will be at Uppermill Methodist Church, at 6.30pm on Tuesday.

Tickets for all concerts will be available on the door, but it is advised to book via the website www.usmf.uk.