Front rooms will be cleared, cafes converted and vicarages transformed as the Arundel Music team seeks to deliver on its festival objectives.

Every year they hope to bring music to new venues as well as booking acts that would not normally visit the town. The team’s adventurous streak means they have 16 live events that feature some of Britain’s most respected ensembles, quartets, choirs and orators.

Steve Dummer, chairman of Arundel Music, believes it is their bold approach that makes for an interesting atmosphere.

“We have lots of new music, and there will be plenty of unexpected noises because we want to be edgy with the repertoire. At the classical end the perception is that it can be very dull, but this year it most certainly isn’t.”

“Our bookings prove just how vibrant the festival is. When you combine what we are doing with all the outside events, it makes Arundel a great place to be during the festival. There is brilliant stuff for free outside, and excellent formal concerts inside weird and wonderful venues. It’s a great mix.”

Steve admits money is scarce this year, but is proud of the Music Around Town line-up. “Right across the town there is top-quality entertainment and, with the budget we’ve had, it’s a genuine achievement.”

Steve says his highlights this year include a performance of Dark Sun by Steven Montague in Arundel Cathedral on Sunday, August 30, to commemorate the bombing of Hiroshima. It is scored for chorus and orchestra and brings together many of the area’s community music groups.

On Thusday, August 28, Steve recommends Heather Cairncross, a jazz and classical Grammy-winning vocalist who brings her new project, Portrait Of A Woman, to St Nicholas Church. David Nugent, who has been voted best pianist at the British Jazz Awards eight times, and Chris Hill, Jamie Cullum’s bassist, join Heather for a show that charts her life.

For fans of classical strings, The Arundel Ensemble are at St Nicholas Church, on Wednesday, August 26. The ensemble is collective of some of the country’s leading musicians brought together especially for the festival, will play Haydn and Brahms.

* For more information on all the Arundel Music events call the Arundel Visitor Centre on 01903 882268.