TWO award-winning musicians are opening the 2020 season for Middlewich and District Concerts Society.

The Polaris Duo will be performing in the drama studio at Middlewich High School at 7.30pm on Saturday, January 18.

Saxophonist Gillian Blair and harpist Elinor formed the duo in 2011 whilst studying at the Royal Northern College of Music.

The pair have been exploring ways to expand an eclectic range of repertoire and possibilities for this unusual combination of instruments and perform regularly around the UK.

They are BBC Introducing Artists, gained second prize in the British Harp Chamber Music Competition and have been featured in the Lake District Summer Music New Generation Artists' Concert Series.

Their debut album Illuminate was released in April 2018.

The duo was chosen to give the world premiere of Andy Scott's Sonata for Saxophone and Harp at the World Saxophone Congress in St Andrews and will be performing this piece in the programme.

In addition to working with contemporary composers, they are dedicated to presenting new music for the saxophone and harp and enjoy arranging existing works.

They will be performing a sonata by CPE Bach to the sonata by Andy Scott, a Fantaisie by Saint-Saens, Lenski's Aria from Eugene Onegin by Tchaikovsky, a Nottorno by Bumcke, Green by Barbara Thompson and What is joy to you? by Esther Swift.

The aria was performed on flute and piano at the society's previous concert so this will make an interesting contrast in sounds and interpretation.

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The duo is passionate about education and outreach and has delivered workshops. They are proud to be artists for Yehudi Menuhin's Live Music Now Scheme where they perform to people who may not normally have the opportunity to experience live music.

Tickets price £10, with concessions and will be available at the door. For further details visit madcs.org.uk or call Roger Evans on 01606 834471.