AROUND 25 young musicians from the Crediton and Exeter area will be taking part in a New Year’s Day concert at Crediton Congregational Church.

It will be the fourth such event (in the last six years) and will feature a number of solos by promising woodwind, string and piano players – along with a 15-strong ensemble of young string and keyboard players performing a previously unperformed festive piece.

Carol Galton is the accompanist for the concert, with piano parts and solos being played on a Welmar grand piano.

The concert is a showcase for young musicians at different stages of musical attainment.

Organiser Paul Vincent said that some of the players have not played in public before, while others may be familiar to the audience from earlier New Year’s Day events.

He continued: “The concert could not happen, of course, without the support of the performers’ music teachers and their families – as well as the sustained commitment of the players themselves.

“Among local teachers are Deborah Hamilton (violin, viola and piano), Sarah Dean (woodwind), Frederiek Maddock (piano) and Tim Matthews (piano).”

The concert is a joint project of the Music Makers’ with Crediton Congregational Church.

This event (and the Summer Lunchtime Recitals, in August this year) have been generously supported by Crediton Town Council, and other sponsorship has come from local chartered accountants Stapleton’s and Hillbrow Residential Care Home.

Doors open at 2.30pm, for a 3pm start. Admission is £5. Complimentary coffee, teas and refreshments will be available.

Following the concert there will also be a free cinema screening of Charlie Chaplin’s entertaining 1928 film: “The Circus”.