French orchestra concerts will benefit FORCE

An orchestra from Crediton’s twin town in Normandy will be performing in Devon for the first time this weekend.

The 42-strong Avranches Orchestra, featuring musicians aged from 11 to 68, will be playing at the Mint Methodist Church in Exeter on Friday (7.30pm).

The concert will also feature guest soloist Paul Morgan, organist at Exeter Cathedral for 40 years.

The second performance is in Crediton on Saturday (7:30pm) at the Parish Church of the Holy Cross where they will be joined by the 50-strong church choir.

The programmes will feature a diverse range of music from Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance to the Bruno Mars hit Uptown Funk and a Daft Punk medley.

Entry to both concerts is free and there will be collections at each for FORCE Cancer Charity.

The orchestra from Avranches will be hosted by local families.

As well as their concerts, the group will visit Exeter Cathedral and Dartmoor and attend a reception with the Mayor of Crediton.