Gaynor Edwards highlights the best of the rest....

EIGHT local choirs are featured in this year's Winchester and County Music Festival, which is staged at Romsey Abbey on May 10 and Winchester Cathedral on May 17. Four choirs in Romsey Abbey will perform Handel's Ode on St Cecilia's Day and Mendelssohn's Hymn of Praise under the leadership of Derek Beck, with soloists including Cecilia Osmond, Gillian Gray amd Benjamin Hulett.

In Winchester Cathedral, four other choirs will perform Brahms' Song of Destiny and Mozart's C minor Mass. The JS Bach Cantata No 82 will also be presented. Box office: 01962 877977.

SOUTHAMPTON born opera star Sally Matthews returns to her home city on May 10, presenting her Music for Maytime concert at the Turner Sims concert hall.

Sally studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is the winner of the 1999 Kathleen Ferrier Award. She has worked with orchestras including the London Philharmonic and the BBC Symphony Orchestra and was recently selected by the BBC for their New Generation Artists scheme, which will include lunchtime concerts at the Wigmore Hall. The concert is in aid of the Rotary and Inner Wheel Overseas Charities. Box office: 023 8040 3673 or 01489 787321.

YOU can see the London Mozart Players making their final visit of the season at the Turner Sims on May 9.

The concert features the acclaimed orchestra's string ensemble alongside renowned saxophonist John Harle, performing diverse works such as Britten Simple Symphony Op 4, Debussy's Syrinx and Chick Corea's Children's Songs. Box office: 023 8059 5151.

KEYBOARD maestro Rick Wakeman makes a return visit to the Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth on May 9. The Yes and Straws keyboardist turned solo star promises a return to the flamboyant stage style of the 70s for his new tour, which comes in support of his recent studio album, Out There. Box office: 01202 456456.

MORE than just musical senses will be stimulated at the Bournemouth International Centre on May 10. In a groundbreaking venture, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra present classical chillout music with the addition of a variety of aromas, designed to induce peace and harmony in the listener.

The venue will also be brought alive with a cutting-edge laser show. Relaxing music on the programme includes Dvorak's New World Symphony, Faure's Pavane and Barber's Adagio for Strings. Box office: 01202 456456.

HOT on the heels of their first top 25 single, I Wish I Was a Girl and a successful support slot for Hell is for Heroes, punk-metallers Violent Delight bring their latest tour to The Joiners, Southampton on Monday, May 12. The cross-dressing group's first album is due for release later this year. Box office: 023 8022 5612.

DANISH duo Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo - better known as The Ravonettes - bring their UK tour to the Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth on Sunday, May 11. Recently, the band have been touring the USA with the likes of Interpol and The Mooney Suzuki. An as-yet-untitled album recorded in New York and Copenhagen for Columbia Records has also been completed. Box office: 023 9286 3911.

THE Syd Lawrence Orchestra recreate Glenn Miller's Army Orchestra at Portsmouth Guildhall on Sunday, May 11. Led by trombonist Chris Dean and augmented with the strings of the London Telefilmonic Orchestra, the orchestra promise a mixture of music from Miller's service and civilian days. BBC Radio 2 presenter Malcolm Laycock comperes the evening. Box office: 023 9282 4355.