BEING part of a chamber ensemble instills a greater responsibility in a young musician.

More say, than among the ranks of string players in an orchestra.

There's no hiding place in a quartet, the spotlight is on, and as a result a budding musician develops quicker, and, should grow in confidence.

That's my opinion anyway.

Fired by enthusiasm cellist Ros Hunt and violinist Carol Davies have created Kendal String Ensembles.

A platform for string players of all levels and ages.

Ros is keen to point out they are not treading on the toes of local orchestras, but broadening musical horizons to everyone's benefit.

"We want to give musicians the opportunity to learn an individual part and put it together musically with others."

Their sessions encourage quartet, duet and solo work with a major emphasis on fun.

Folk arrangements, jazzy bits, music from the shows.

You name it Ros and Carol and their merry band of players will try it.

The vibes were good as I sat in on a Kendal String Ensembles session at St Thomas's Church, listening to Ros and Carol coax and inspire members.

"Who fancies a tango," calls Carol to the assembled cellists and violinists.

After their warm-up piece the musicians split into groups.

Ros decides on the tango and guides her string squad through a cracking version of America from West Side Story.

Ambitious and adventurous maybe, but excellent experience.

I found it hard to keep my feet still so it must have been good.

Carol and others, meanwhile, go allegro moderato in Pleyel's dancable Quartettino.

I bob in briefly to see them having a lively old time.

With the musicians taking a 'bun break' I got chatting to a few familiar faces.

Queen Katherine School student David Rees, viola player and also a member of the Westmorland Youth Orchestra said he was enjoying his KSEs sessions: "It gives you more of an idea about balance and development."

Lakes School sixth-former and another WYO member Jenny Hine is finding the learning curve equally enjoyable, as is her school and WYO colleague Clare Watson: "In an orchestra you can rely on the other players.

Doing this it's you and your own part," informs Clare.

Sessions though are for both young and older musicians.

Ros adds: "There are a lot of adults who have lost confidence in their playing.

Hopefully we can rebuild that."

Mother-of-two Margaret Watson is a community nurse in Milnthorpe and luxuriating in her musical comeback.

Growing up in Carlisle she played with the city's youth orchestra, later in dance bands, and is in the Westmorland Orchestra: "I'm really enjoying playing, and helping out."

Both first class instrumentalists, there's more strings to the bows of Ros and Carol than meets the eye.

Ros is cellist with Intermezzo, pianist and music teacher; Carol is a teacher with Cumbria Music Service and violinist with the Lakeland Sinfonia.

As well as holding weekly, one-and-a-half hour Thursday evening sessions at St Thomas's (5-6.30pm, £ 30 for half term, 5-week periods) the dynamic duo have their sights firmly set on April 1, for the ensemble's debut concert.

If I'd been a string player I'd be in there too.

For further details of Kendal String Ensembles contact Ros on 01539-735826.