MUSIC in the round returns to the Old Laundry Theatre, Bowness, for a special weekend of chamber excellence featuring the seven-strong Wakeford Ensemble on Friday, February 20; the Kungsbacka Piano Trio on the Saturday; and London Winds on Sunday, February 22.

Wakeford is a string quartet plus clarinet, flute and harp, now established at the forefront of UK chamber music. The Kungsbacka trio won first prize in the prestigious 1999 Melbourne International Chamber Music competition and has a growing reputation for intuitive and passionate playing both here and abroad.

London Winds is a five-piece of virtuoso players renowned for performances of technical brilliance, interpretative vision and brimming with exuberance. All performances for this feast of chamber sounds start at 8pm. Contact the theatre's box office on 015394-88444.

- BILLED as one of the world's 'most experienced community choirs', fresh from Vermont, USA, Northern Harmony perform the strong rhythms and harmonies of Shape Note singing at Dent Village Hall on Sunday, February 29.

Apparently a feature of the Cold Mountain movie, the exuberant style of singing is named after an attempt to make music reading easier by using shapes instead of dots on the music score.

The choir performs the songs of American Shakers, traditional and contemporary pieces from Georgia, Bulgaria and South Africa and more, plus music from its folk band. Prior to the 4.30pm concert, there is a workshop including other ensembles, as well as the Northern, from 10.30am-4pm.

Contact David Burbidge for tickets for the concert and workshop and details of his own workshop on the Saturday (February 28) on 015396-21166.

- BIG band music fans will be delighted to hear the Glenn Miller Orchestra is heading back to the Coronation Hall for a concert in aid of Barrow and Districts Society for the Blind on Sunday, February 14 (7.30pm).

With Ray McVay at the musical helm, the unforgettable and timeless tunes such as A String of Pearls, In The Mood and Pennsylvania 65000 will ring out across with vocal help from Colin Anthony, Jan Messeder and the Moonlight Serenaders. Tickets are available from the Blind Shop, Cavendish Street, Barrow (01229-820698) and the Coro box office on 01229-587140.

- A RISING star in piano playing circles, Charalampos Agelopoulos graces the Kendal Midday Concert Club series with his presence on Wednesday (February 18, 1pm) in a programme of works by Beethoven, Hatzidakis and Ravel.

Among the highly-regarded Greek-born pianist's many accolades is winning the prestigious George Thimis Piano Competition in spring 2003, staged in his homeland. Snack lunches available from 11.50am.

- SOUTH Lakeland Support Group of Winged Fellowship Trust stages its annual fund-raiser at Kendal Town Hall on Monday, February 23 (11.30am), featuring Mandy Burvill (clarinet), Stella Wilkinson (viola) and Josephine Large (piano) all members of the illustrious Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

The concert is followed by the event's popular two-course meal. Tickets are £15 including food from Nan Scott, Sidegarth, Staveley, Kendal LA8 9NN (cheques payable to Winged Fellowship Trust enclosing sae). Concert only tickets (balcony) are £7.50. For further details, contact 01539-821854 or Kendal and Windermere tourist information centres.