Anyone longing for sunnier times need look no further than Parbold, Lancashire on Saturday 15 February, 7.45pm. The bright and colourful Meliora Collective will be bringing their unique brand of classical music to Parbold Village Hall for what promises to be an evening of warm, musical melodies, certain to brighten up a February night.

Don’t miss the chance to hear this dynamic and versatile ensemble of nine spirited young musicians. Parbold Music’s concerts have been selling out this season, so early booking is advised.

Described as a ‘pocket orchestra’, the players’ shared love of chamber music shines through in their performances. Recent graduates of the UK’s conservatoires, each member of the Meliora Collective brings a strong musical identity to the group. Their flexible way of working enables them to perform in differently sized groups, and to programme a wide range of music including well-known pieces, arrangements of symphonic works and new compositions.

Audiences love the wonderfully varied sound worlds they create, and the delicate details that chamber music reveals. Their programme includes Brahms’ enchanting Serenade No.1, a work so symphonic in its original version for nonet that Brahms destroyed the manuscript and rescored it for full orchestra.

Their full programme will be:Clementi - NonettoValerie Coleman - UmojaCaroline Shaw - Entr’acteJessie Montgomery - Sergeant McCauley Brahms - Serenade No. 1 This season marks Douglas Music’s 50th year of presenting live music in the Auditorium of Parbold Village Hall in Lancashire.

A full list of all ten concerts follows, and this year features another first-class line-up of musicians. The Hall’s Steinway D grand piano is a major draw for international pianists, and this year four of the world’s greatest piano players will travel to play it in Parbold. Alongside Anna Tsybuleva’s evening of Preludes earlier in October, audiences can look forward to Liszt with Alim Beisembayev, Beethoven performed by Paul Lewis and Chopin with the ‘colossus’ of the keyboard, Sir Stephen Hough.There is a strong focus on ensembles this year.

As well as the Intrada Brass Ensemble who we heard in December and February’s Meliora Collective, the distinguished Brodsky Quartet performs string quartets, and the ever-popular Craig Ogden closes the season with his Aquarelle Guitar Quartet.Parbold Douglas Music is a charity run on a not-for-profit basis, by a team of volunteers drawn from the local community.

Founded in 1973, their live performances are unique in the North West for the opportunity for audiences to get thrillingly close to world-class musicians.This season is generously sponsored by the Evans Family Foundation in recognition of Maria B Evans Estate Agents Ltd and the good works that Parbold Douglas Music does in the community.Tickets are £25 and just £5 for young people and students (a price which has remained constant for over 15 years). Free car parking is also available. Tickets can be booked by visiting the website www.parbolddouglasmusic.org, emailing [email protected] or phoning 07768 799821.