A concert by a local orchestra will feature the premiere of a new composition by an island-based composer, alongside many other classical pieces this weekend.

The Kirk Michael Chamber Orchestra will perform their summer concert, ’Folk Tunes and Fiddle Dances’ at the Lezayre Church and Northern Arts Centre on Saturday, June 12, from 7.30pm.

The string orchestra, featuring 15 musicians, will perform a concert featuring music written around folk melodies and popular songs, including ’Fantasia on Greensleeves’, by Vaughan Williams, ’Folk Tune and Fiddle Dance’ by Percy Fletcher, ’St Paul’s Suite’ by Holst and ’Molly on the Shore’ by Percy Grainger.

Mezzo Soprano singer Mandy Griffin will also feature as a guest vocalist.

The evening will draw to a close with a rendition of the Manx Fishermen’s Evening Hymn, sung with audience participation.

The evening will also hear the first playing of a new Manx classical composition, written by Ellie Quayle, entitled ’Castles’.

The local composer, performer and songwriter approached the orchestra, led by Karen McMullan, to see if they would be interested in performing one of her pieces, written around a Manx folkloric theme, as she felt it would tie in nicely with the theme of the concert.

’About a year ago I got in contact with Karen, one of the heads of the orchestra, to ask if they would play a piece I wrote them,’ said Ellie.

’My composition is called The Castle" and is based on the story of the Moddey Dhoo.

’It refers to Peel castle and I wanted to portray the gorgeous beauty of it in daylight, with a contrast to the night time where the Moddey Dhoo lurks.

’The piece starts menacing to get the fear of the big black dog across.

’However, later the piece goes into a major to portray the beauty and stillness of Peel.

’As the concert is based on Manx folk tunes, I tried to loosely fit in with this theme, while still bringing new ideas to the piece.’

Ellie is a graduate of Liverpool Hope University who has been writing music since she was 12.

Already in her career she has written for members of the Liverpool Philharmonic and has penned a jingle for comedian Miranda Hart. She is also currently composing a piece to be performed on Tynwald Day.

’I am a keen composer and write in a plethora of styles ranging from classical to rock and am always working on new projects and commissions,’ she added.

’This was a very exciting project for me as I had never written for a chamber orchestra before.’

Admission to the concert is free, with donations collected for the Manx Wildlife Trust, Lezayre Church and the Family Library.