IT may still be the middle of winter, but spring is just around the corner for BSO Resonate Strings as it launches a new programme, Spring Beckons.

Comprising of five musicians representing each of the string sections of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, BSO Resonate Strings is one of a number of dedicated ensembles working with schools and community groups all over the south and south west.

The aim is to enable children, families and music-lovers to experience the joy of live music first-hand in association with Artsreach and will feature works by some of the greatest composers, from Vivaldi, Handel and Mozart, through to Brahms, Joplin and Mancini. Artsreach is Dorset’s rural touring arts organisation, working to ensure rural and isolated communities across the county are able to experience the best live arts performances in their own villages and overcome the barriers that have historically inhibited their enjoyment of the arts.

As the BSO’s home region covers an area of over 10,000 square miles which includes many rural communities, an important part of the Orchestra’s remit is to bring world-class music to these outlying areas, through ensemble performances in smaller, intimate venues.

The first performance takes place at St Gregory’s Church, Marnhull on Friday, February 3 and will feature favourites such as Handel’s stately Arrival of the Queen of Sheba and Mozart’s sparkling Divertimento in D, together with Brahms’ lively Hungarian Dance No.5.

Amongst all this ice and snow, the first flowers of spring emerge in the form of Puccini’s Chrysanthemums for string quartet as well as Joplin’s ragtime classic, The Chrysanthemum. The versatility of the string ensemble is displayed in this programme which takes in a wide assortment of musical styles including tango in Piazzolla’s Nightclub 1960, from the Argentine composer’s suite, Histoire du Tango; film music, in Henry Mancini’s Moon River, made famous by Audrey Hepburn in the Hollywood classic, Breakfast at Tiffany’s; and 16th century dance in Warlock’s Capriol Suite.

The concert will be held at St Gregory’s Church, Marnhull, Sturminster Newton at 7.30pm on February 3. Tickets £10 / £6. Call 01202 669925 or email boxoffice@bsorchestra.co.uk