AN INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed guitarist will perform in rural Dorset this weekend.

Born in Aberdeenshire, Ian Watt came to international attention when, at 18, he was awarded 2nd prize at the 2009 Parkening International Guitar Competition (USA), the world's pre-eminent guitar competition. Since then, he has appeared as a soloist throughout Europe and across the world, performing as a concerto soloist with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the City of London Sinfonia and the Scottish Philharmonic Orchestra.

Now this February, through Dorset’s touring arts charity Artsreach, this exciting young musician will be giving two recitals in the County as part of the schemes spring programme, which for 2017 is supported by local legal firm Blanchards Bailey.

As well as performances on BBC Radio, Watt was featured in a BBC 2 documentary which included a performance of Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez and his performances have also been seen and heard on television and radio stations in the USA, Austria and Holland.

Expect to hear an exciting and extensive repertoire of guitar music.

Ian Watt will be at Chetnole Village Hall on Friday (24) from 7.30pm. Call 01935 873555 for tickets. It will then be at Ibberton Village Hall on Saturday (25) from 7.30pm. Call 01258 817269. See artsreach.co.uk for more information.