THE stage is set at Upton House in Poole for a three day music festival this weekend.

The Upton House Music Festival 2016 will see headline slots for Katherine Jenkins, Jools Holland and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

The three nights of picnic concerts set on the beautiful front lawns of Upton House will culminate in a last night fireworks finale.

Organiser Stephen McManus believes the festival has come at the right time for the town and said: “We saw Upton House from the front lawns and we thought this would be ideal for a concert.

“From the point of view of Poole, we’re putting on an event that the town has been crying out for. It’s fantastic that people don’t have to travel and it’s in their area.”

The first night is a “one night only” experience, bringing the long awaited pairing of classical superstar Katherine Jenkins OBE with players from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra for what promises to be an unforgettable evening of music.

Ranging from the great arias of Opera to the classics of Hollywood, the Friday night should start the festival in style.

The singing sensation, who has appeared on shows such as Pop Star to Opera Star and American hit Dancing With the Stars, released a special version of the National Anthem in last month.

Violinist duo and brothers Vladimir and Anton are also set to perform at the Upton House Music Festival on the opening night.

The Slovakian pair will be supporting Katherine Jenkins, the headline act for the first night of the series of concerts in Poole.

Vladimir and Anton share more than just great musical genes - they are equal masters of the classical violin and have been thrilling audiences as a duo for almost 20 years.

Playing together since they were toddlers, Vladimir and Anton now push their instruments - and each other – to the greatest heights of artistic expression.

The Saturday night is party night with Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra taking to the stage at Upton for the first time following a very successful UK tour.

Jools is on our TV screens every week as host of BBC2’s Later, and his live performances are legendary.

The 58-year old co-formed the hit band Squeeze with Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, before his own Big Band to indulge his love of that kind of music, and now has a 20-piece Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, which consists of pianist, organist, drummer, three female vocals, guitar, bass guitar, two tenor saxophones, two alto saxophones, baritone saxophone, three trumpets, and four trombones.

South Londoner Jools has performed with the world’s greatest musicians over the years, and made numerous programmes for radio and TV, including his annual New Year’s Eve Hootenanny.

Jools Holland will be performing tracks spanning his entire solo career as well as songs from his latest album, Sirens of Song.

Sunday sees the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra make a spectacular return to Upton House after a seven year absence of sell-out proms concerts.

This flag waving extravaganza celebrates the best of everything British, with a full programme of proms favourites..

A breathtaking fireworks finale set to music will light up the sky bringing the evening to a dramatic conclusion.

Visit uptonhousemusicfestival.co.uk or contact BHLive on 0844 576 3000.