A classical concert club, which has just celebrated its 40th birthday, has been short-listed for a prestigious award.

The Mixing Music series of Bromsgrove Concerts has been placed on a list of three for the concert series and festivals category of the Royal Philharmonic Society Music Awards.

Mixing Music has been established for 12 years and gives four or five concerts every winter in the Spadesbourne Suite and Guesten Hall in Bromsgrove.

It aims to promote first-time performances and modern classical music from the latter part of the 20th century and beginning of the 21st century

Over the years, Mixing Music has featured renowned performers, including Howard Skempton, Julian Philips, Graham Fitkin, Philip Cashian and Stephen Montague.

However, the series also encourages the work of very new composers, by linking up with composition degree students at Coventry University. Many young composers have had short works played by professional musicians during the concerts in Bromsgrove.

Bromsgrove Concerts chairman Jennie McGregor-Smith said: "Our birthday season finishes in April, and short-listing for this award is a very fitting ending to an exciting and rewarding 12 months."

The Royal Philharmonic Music Awards are regarded as one of the most prestigious awards in the field of live classical music. Previous winners of the award Mixing Music have been nominated for, include the Cheltenham International Festival of Music in 2001. Dame Felicity Lott will present the awards on May 7 at the Dorchester Hotel in London.

l CONTEMPORARY music will be on the menu tonight (Wednesday) when the Chrome Ensemble performs at The Guesten Hall.

They will be performing the contrasting works of two Japanese composers, Jo Kondo and Toru Takemitsu, from 8pm onwards.

Tickets for the Avoncroft Museum event are available from Gill Frederick on 01527 874163.