AN evening of light orchestral music is being offered in Newent.

The Newent Orchestra will perform pieces of popular romantic classical music at a concert at St Mary's Church in the village on Saturday, May 24.

The concert marks a move away from the more weighty pieces the orchestra usually performs, according to conductor George Taylor.

"We are conscious of the fact that we need to avoid the heavy music to attract people to the concerts," said Mr Taylor.

"That doesn't mean we are pushing classic pieces out the way completely - we will still be performing some works from a Haydn symphony.

"But this is primarily a selection of lighter pieces. We'll be playing the Royal Fireworks suite by Handel, three divertimento pieces by Mozart and the march from Bizet's Carmen, which should start us off on a good note.

"This is an important concert because we only have three a year and everyone will be breaking up after it until we begin rehearsing again in September."

Although the orchestra more often performs the classics, they are not strangers to more populist favourites.

"It's not the first time we've done something like this. Last year we did a selection of royal music to mark the Queen's jubilee and people seemed to really enjoy that," said Mr Taylor.

As special guests, tenor David Bennett will be performing a selection of his pieces with pianist Margaret Holloway.

For the concert's finale Mr Bennett, a regular with the Savoyards, Cheltenham's Gilbert and Sullivan society, will sing pieces from the musical South Pacific, accompanied by the orchestra.

Tickets for the show, which begins at 7.30pm, cost £6 for adults, £5 concessions and £1 for children on the door.

When the orchestra meets again in September a master class will be held for anyone interested learning more about playing a string instrument.

For details about the orchestra, ring 01531 821075.