MUSIC fans will delight at the return of Weymouth's lunchtime chamber concerts this September.

The series, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2022, is back for a new season - and it's better than ever. For the first time, the concert organisers have begun a groundbreaking collaboration with south Dorset's new community radio station, KeeP106, helping classic music reach the ears of an even bigger audience.

To kick off the season on Wednesday, September 25, young soprano Bethany Cox will take to the stage, accompanied by Duncan Honeybourne on the piano. Bethany is a graduate from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and her recital takes inspiration from Dorset's connections with Thomas Hardy.

Duncan Honeybourne, founder and artistic director of the Weymouth chamber concert series, said: "The concerts have been going for 17 years now and I think they're entering a bit of a new phase. This is our most exciting season yet."

The Weymouth lunchtime concert series aims to bring music of the highest quality to people in South Dorset, with an emphasis on young artists presenting unusual works and neglected composers alongside well-known favourites. With no funding, income is generated solely from ticket sales and organisers work hard to keep ticket prices low and maintain a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

The 2019-2020 season is particularly significant as it will see the performance of the organisation's 200th concert in May next year, as well as the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth. The latter part of the season will therefore feature a Beethoven 250 strand, with performances of a violin sonata, a piano trio and the last three of the great German composer's 32 piano sonatas.

*Bethany Cox and Duncan Honeybourne, Weymouth chamber concert, St Mary's Church, St Mary Street, Weymouth, Wednesday, September 25, 1pm.

Tickets for the concerts are £5 each, or £40 for a series ticket, which includes the nine performances. This can be purchased at the first concert of the season or by emailing info@weymouthchamberconcerts.com.

See weymouthchamberconcerts.com for more information.