NORTON Music Festival is under way with a line-up of international and renowned North-East classical and folk artists, orchestras and choirs.

The Northumbrian Ranters, a group of musicians aged 11-18, perform an energetic programme of traditional music from Ireland, Scotland and Northumberland and beyond, with traditional clog dancing and singing, at St Joseph’s RC Church, Darlington Lane, tomorrow evening.

On Wednesday, pianist Mark Bebbington, gives a concert at St Mary's Church, Norton. This is a rare occasion to see one of Britain’s most acclaimed pianists perform in an intimate setting. He regularly tours in Europe, Northern Africa and the Far East giving recitals and appearing with philharmonic orchestras.

Tickets for both these concerts cost £8 for adults, £5 child. Doors open at 7pm and the concerts start at 7.30pm.

Lithuania’s Got Talent winner Martynas Levickis, a talented 24-year-old accordion player and graduate of The Royal Academy, performs with violinist Matt Glossop next Friday at St Joseph’s RC Church; tickets £10/£5.

Though the accordion is closely identified with folk music from Eastern Europe and South America, Levickis takes his audiences around the world and back and forth through the centuries. His programme includes Bach, Vivaldi, Mendelssohn, Piazzolla, Brahms and Lithuanian folk songs.

Durham Constabulary Male Voice Choir is at the same venue on Saturday, September 27, performing a programme including First World War songs; tickets £8/£5.

The Princes of Monte Carlo, a blues, indie, funk and soul function band with a growing following in the North-East, closes the festival at Norton Tavern on Sunday, September 28, at 8pm; tickets £8.

Established in 2009 to bring Norton and surrounding communities together through music, the festival is a not-for-profit event which this year is raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust through raffles. Tickets can be bought online at norton-musicfestival.com or telephone 01642 535273.