Many plans were scuppered by lockdown – including the first public appearance of a dynamic new arrival on the West Cornwall music scene.

The Chapel Street Quartet was formed at the beginning of 2020 to create local performance opportunities for up-and-coming local musicians.

Their debut concert in April was cancelled because of lockdown. But now the players are back with an autumn season of chamber music at St Mary’s Church, Penzance.

To introduce the season, the Quartet will perform a ‘Series Sampler’ – a preview of some of the repertoire concertgoers can expect to enjoy over the coming months.

Taking place at St Mary’s on Sunday, September 20, at 3pm, this free concert will feature movements from works by Dvorak, Mozart, Faure and Brahms.

Three full-length concerts will follow on October 25, November 15 and December 13.

Making up the Quartet are three talented string players – violinist Nat Jones, cellist Danielle Jones and viola player Emma Stansfield – together with pianist Timothy Dean.

For their October concert, the group will also be joined by the acclaimed young clarinettist Jacob Perry. All the performers live in West Penwith.

The Chapel Street Quartet is the brainchild of Timothy Dean, director of Music at St Mary’s.

He said: “Live performance opportunities are critical for the professional development of young musicians. And if that was the case before lockdown, it’s even more essential now as the world of classical music starts to reopen after the most challenging period we musicians have ever experienced.

“Audiences have missed out hugely too, and we hope music lovers who feel able to do so will make the most of this opportunity to enjoy live performance again.

"And I hope the ‘sampler' may entice people who are curious about classical music but don’t yet feel ready to sit through a full-length concert programme. We will also be live streaming the preview concert on penleecluster.org.uk”

Because of Covid-19 restrictions, numbers at all concerts are limited to 40. Face coverings must be worn.

Admission to concerts is by advance reservation only.

Tickets can be reserved by email to reservationsformusicatstmarys@gmail.com

Tickets for the October, November and December concerts cost £5, with free admission for under-18s.