Fresh from its spectacular October concert in Exeter Cathedral, the popular Isca Ensemble with Musical Director Roger Hendy returns to Sidmouth for its annual Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 16, commencing at 7.30pm.

Making a welcome return to Sidmouth as soloist is the renowned South Korean violinist Joo Yeon Sir, who will perform Felix Mendelssohn’s exquisite Violin Concerto with the orchestra.

Born in Korea, Joo Yeon moved to London at the age of nine, to begin her formative training at the Purcell School of Music, where she now teaches as well as at the Royal College of Music. Her time at Purcell was followed by degree studies at the Royal College of Music. During this period, Joo Yeon won the prestigious BBC/Guardian Young Composer of the Year Award, the Royal College of Music’s President’s Award, and has since received numerous prizes of note, including the Royal Philharmonic Society’s ‘Emily Anderson Award’.

She has performed many recitals at Wigmore Hall and Bridgewater Hall, with pianist Irina Andrievsky, and is regularly featured on the BBC, Classic FM, Scala, RTE, and France Musique Radios. Joo Yeon's extensive repertoire incorporates a substantial span of works, from Bach to the modern day. Her own compositions can be heard in concert, as well as being broadcast on the BBC, and Scala Radio.

Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, composed between 1838 and 1844, is regarded as one of the greatest violin concertos of all time and is one of the most popular and frequently performed violin concertos in history. Bizet's superb 'Carmen Suite' opens the concert and concludes with Robert Schumann's wonderful 'Rhenish' Symphony. The orchestra continues to receive wide critical acclaim for its concerts and wishes to thank its local loyal audience base for the support it has received over the years. During the concert interval, wine and snacks will be available. 

Tickets can be purchased in advance online by visiting www.iscaensemble.org.uk, www.ticketsource.co.uk or from Paragon Books, Sidmouth (01395 514516). Some tickets will be available at the door from 7 p.m. but early booking is advised. For further information visit www.iscaensemble.org.uk or contact MD Roger Hendy roghendy@gmail.com.