A popular orchestra in Cumbria will premiere a new work in memory of one of its members.

The Westmorland Orchestra will perform in Kendal later this month and perform Equilibrium, a new work by Fredrik Holm, in memory of Jonty Somervell, who was a member for 65 years.

He was well known around Kendal as a musician, hockey player and member of the local K Shoes family.

The Westmorland Orchestra decided to use a legacy from Mr. Somervell to commission Mr. Holm, conductor of the Westmorland Youth Orchestra, to compose a new piece of music.

Equilibrium includes a movement centered on the viola, the instrument Mr. Somervell played.

The concert will also feature Dvorak’s New World Symphony and Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture and will be joined on stage by Ellena Newton for Rimsky Korsakov’s trombone concerto.

Rimsky-Korsakov’s trombone concerto is an opportunity to hear Newton, the principal trombone of the famous Brighouse and Rastrick Band.

Georgina Perkins, President of the Westmorland Orchestra, is looking forward to bringing live orchestral music to Kendal again. She said: “As well as the instantly recognizable theme of the Hovis bread advert, Dvorak’s New World Symphony is an exciting piece of music that will have onlookers humming tunes as they walk out.

“I am convinced that this music can be enjoyed by all and I hope that the free tickets for young people will encourage people to come to the concert, whether or not they regularly listen to classical music.”

The Westmorland Orchestra is conducted by Richard Howarth and conducted by Pamela Redman. It attracts its players from all over Cumbria and North Lancashire.

The concert will take place at 7.30pm on Saturday 26th March at Westmorland Hall, Kendal Leisure Centre. Tickets are £12 or free for under-19s and full-time students.