THE Wiltshire Music Centre’s is celebrating its 20th Anniversary Autumn/ Winter season with support from global vehicle test and development systems provider AB Dynamics in Bradford on Avon.

The WMC in Bradford on Avon first opened its doors just over 20 years ago. Since then this 300-seat concert venue has built an enviable reputation as the home of world-class music in Wiltshire, presenting the best in classical, folk, jazz and world music.

The centre launched its Autumn/Winter 2018 programme with a new season sponsor - one of the world’s most trusted suppliers of automotive test systems to the top 25 global vehicle manufacturers, AB Dynamics.

Matthew Hubbard, Chief Operations Officer, AB Dynamics, said: “We are delighted to become a Season Sponsor of the Wiltshire Music Centre, which contributes so greatly to the cultural life of this rural county.

“Together, we share an ambition for excellence and a passion for creativity in everything we do including our celebrating our employees who play a significant role in the global development of new cars.

“We look forward to sharing in the Centre’s 20th Anniversary throughout the Autumn/Winter season.”

James Slater, the WMC’s Artistic Director, said: ‘We are delighted to celebrate WMC’s 20th Anniversary with such an exciting Autumn/Winter programme.

“With world-class visiting artists, home-grown young talent and some exceptional creative learning and community projects sewn through the season, there is so much to look forward to.

“This ambitious programme would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, funders and friends. Throughout 2018 we hope to raise £100,000 through a 20th Anniversary Appeal to support the next 20 years of high quality and accessible music here at Wiltshire Music Centre.”

WMC’s Artists in Residence this year include acclaimed pianist Joanna MacGregor (September 30) and jazz vocalist Claire Martin OBE (October 27) who will each be performing as part of this celebratory concert series. Claire Martin performs alongside Joe Stilgoe, son of lyricist and entertainer Sir Richard Stilgoe.

Later in the season, Orchestra in Residence, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (December 15) return to perform seasonal favourite, Handel’s Messiah.

Long-standing artistic partners of the Centre, the Doric String Quartet will perform Mendelssohn’s Octet with this year’s WMC Young Quartet in Residence, the Behn Quartet (October 28).

Other highlights include a debut by the Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain (October 24) and a community-inspired performance of Bach’s St Matthew Passion by the English Touring Opera (November 11), as part of the Bradford on Avon Countdown to Peace initiative, which commemorates the centenary of the Armistice that ended hostility in the First World War and Remembrance Sunday.

Jazz lovers can look forward to an evening of soul and Caribbean influences from Courtney Pine CBE (November 30), 1920s Hollywood jazz orchestral classics from Alex Mendham and his Orchestra (September 21) together with the Dunlop Sisters, and a swinging seasonal finale from the Pasadena Roof Orchestra (December 21).

The Centre’s popular folk programme continues with the return of award-winning Irish folk band Altan (October 19) and global Scottish folk-rock sensation, Skerryvore (November 17).

Riding high off their collaboration with Bath Festivals this spring, which included a community performance of Bernstein’s West Side Story, the Centre’s Creative Learning team will also be busy again this Autumn, delivering a major Special Schools Festival with musicians from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s disabled-led ensemble, BSO Resound (November 23).

Bringing together over 80 pupils from four local schools, the project will culminate in a performance to open the national disability arts festival Fast Forward, which is being held at Wiltshire Music Centre for the first time in November, in partnership with Bristol Music Trust.

Headlining the three-day festival programme, blind and learning-disabled pianist Derek Paravicini (November 24) will perform a spontaneous programme of audience requests with a range of guest artists.

With a host of fun family events, workshops, lectures, intimate ‘live in the bar’ gigs and opera screenings – including a relaxed livestream performance of The Nutcracker by the Royal Ballet (December 16) – there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the Centre this Autumn/Winter.

To find out more about how you can support the Wiltshire Music Centre Trust and to view the full season programme, visit www.wiltshiremusic.org.uk