A feast of classical music is promised when the 17th Surrey Hills International Music Festival (SHIMF) takes place from May 5 to 16.

It will consist of musical performances from world-class musicians and emerging artists including local students.

There will also be walks and talks in a variety of beautiful venues across the Surrey Hills National Landscape.

A highlight of the programme will be a performance from award-winning vocal ensemble Tenebrae, performing a programme of sacred choral music that spans five centuries on May 9 at Guildford’s Holy Trinity Church.

Also not to be missed are the Julian Bliss Quintet, a world-renowned clarinettist and his extraordinary quintet, performing a mix of traditional and contemporary jazz at the RHS Garden Wisley on May 7.

There will be performances from festival patron Dame Sarah Connolly, celebrated pianist Julius Drake, and top soloists Katya Apekisheva, Charles Owen, Juho Pohjonen and Wu Qian across the 12 days of the festival.

SHIMF is an avid supporter of young and emerging artists through providing performance platforms. Returning to open the festival will be the Lunchtime Young Artist Concerts, with the Flutes and Frets Duo playing at West Horsley Place.

There will be performances by talented students from Surrey’s Yehudi Menuhin School on May 11. Two of them will join the Sitkovetsky Trio in the festival finale on May 16 at the school’s Menuhin Hall.

SHIMF supports the local community through its charitable status by backing the String Scheme, providing free tuition and instruments to local primary school pupils.

Chairman Henry Pearson said: “The Surrey Hills remain at the heart of our identity, a setting whose beauty and spirit inspires everything we do.

“We look forward to welcoming audiences from near and far to share in another season of exceptional music-making in this remarkable landscape.”

For full programme details and tickets visit shimf.co.uk