A musician from the area is set to bring festive joy to the people of Kendal with a special Christmas concert.

James Mews, who runs a musical charity in Jersey, will host 'Classics at Christmas' at Kendal Parish Church on December 7 at 7.30pm.

The event, which will raise money for charity Music in Action, will feature pianist Peter Donohoe, who was the first western winner of the 1982 International Tchaikovsky Competition. 

Peter Donohoe, pianist (Image: Supplied) Violinist Harriet Mackenzie, who is an internationally renowned concerto soloist, will also be performing.

The concert will include pieces such as two of Brahms' romantic piano and violin masterpieces, a John Ireland masterpiece, and a series of Christmas carols.

Mr Mews said: "It is such a privilege to be returning to Lancashire and Cumbria where I enjoyed performing for many years with local orchestras and chamber music in both Kendal and Lancaster.

Harriet Mackenzie, violinist (Image: Supplied) "The music charity in Jersey (where I now live) supports over 5,000 children a year with educational workshops and we offer nearly 100 bursaries to help children get ahead.

"I would love to give something back to the local people who supported me as a boy and a student.

"This concert is the first of many and I would love for people to come to listen to amazing music performed by international stars on December 6 or 7.

'Classics at Christmas' at Kendal Parish Church on December 7 at 7.30pm (Image: Supplied) "You can also get in touch at james@musicjersey.com if you would like to help me bring more music to the North of England.

"We can form a club and work together to bring some incredible stars to play locally.

"After these amazing performances in December I would like to bring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in the spring.”

James Mews performing in outreach event with schools (Image: Supplied) Music in Action, the charity that the event will raise funds for, gives music bursaries to disadvantaged students as a wellbeing tool.

Mr Mews hopes that the money raised on the night will be invested in supporting music education locally.

The concert programme will include F.A.E. Sonata for Violin and Piano by Brahms, Sonata No 1 for Violin and Piano by Ireland, Sonata in D Minor for Violin and Piano by Brahms, and a Christmas Carol Medley for choir, piano, and violin.

Peter Donohoe is internationally recognised, renowned for his musicianship, versatility, and technique.

Peter Donohoe performs the complete Scriabin piano sonatas in Milton Court Concert Hall in 2017 (Image: Supplied) He has toured extensively globally, appearing with all the world’s major orchestras from the Berlin Philharmonic, Leipzig Gewandhaus, London Symphony, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.

He regularly plays at music festivals across the world from the Proms to Verbier and the Edinburgh Festival.

Harriet Mackenzie is an internationally renowned concerto soloist performing across five continents.

Her recordings, which include concertos with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, have been widely acclaimed, including Five Stars in The Times, and frequently appear in the 'Top Recordings of The Year' charts.

Ms Mackenzie said: "I am so pleased to be coming to Lancaster and Kendal to play music for you.

"I love this part of the world.

"Peter Donohoe is one of the finest international soloists and has performed all over the world so to hear him play in these intimate spaces will be remarkable.

"Normally you would have to travel to Manchester or larger cities.

"The music is quite incredible and Peter and I have been asked to record the Brahms’ sonatas together.

"You will get the chance to hear them live before they are immortalised on disc.

Tickets for the event can be purchased online at musicjersey.com/whats-on.