THE Basingstoke Concert Club celebrates its golden jubilee year this season - and there is a vastly impressive line-up planned to celebrate the occasion.

Over the last 50 years, the BCC has promoted live performances of classical music to the general public and to schoolchildren in north Hampshire.

Announcing the jubilee season, club chairman John Sentinella said: "It's a very special occasion to have achieved 50 years of classical music concert-giving.

"We estimate that in our first 50 years the club has put on more than 250 concerts of classical music in Basingstoke, and we look forward to doing the same again over the next 50 years."

The club's founder, John Wright, recalls the early days: "I remember the thrill of that opening concert, for although the club had started with only 50 members, there was a full house!"

But it wasn't always plain sailing. The club has moved from venue to venue and endured the natural highs and lows, which are to be expected from any organisation which has been in operation for half a century.

Now happily installed in the wonderful setting of Trinity Methodist Church in Sarum Hill, and with a thriving membership, one look at the new season is testament to the success of the group.

For the anniversary, the club has brought back some of the outstanding artists that members have been privileged to hear over recent years, with many favourable comments from audiences.

It's brass that begins the 2004/2005 season, with the Fine Arts Brass Quintet on September 25. They'll be performing a range of classic works, including Handel's stunning Fireworks Music and Gershwin's suite from Porgy and Bess.

Two quartets will also visit - the Janacek Quartet (pictured above) for the International Celebrity Concert on October 16, and the Belcea Quartet on February 19.

Add to that pianist Bernard Roberts for the President's Concert on November 13, and the youthful brilliance of Chloe Hanslip on December 4, all before the New Year, and you have a fabulous programme to delight and entertain.

All concerts are at the Trinity Church, Sarum Hill, Basingstoke, starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets for individual concerts, priced £12.50 (£15 for celebrity concerts), are available from the Haymarket box office on 0870 770 1088 or at the church door on the night of each concert.

A member's subscription ticket for a half season of four concerts (one to four or five to eight) is £40. A full season ticket for all eight costs £72.

For more information, contact Christopher Pushman via e-mail at chris@onsideuk.fsworld.co.uk or call 01256 469974.