Ref.10279ONE of Wiltshire's most musical families will perform in Calne this weekend.

Philip, Penny, Gwendolen and Samuel Martin, from Calstone, will present an evening of classical music at Marden House on Saturday, at 7.30pm.

The concert will give local people a rare chance to see the talented family perform together.

Dublin-born Philip Martin won a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music in London when he was 16.

He completed his studies and met his future wife, Penelope, as he was leaving the academy to start a career as a concert pianist and composer.

Mrs Martin, who performs and teaches under her professional name Penelope Price-Jones, had also won a scholarship to the academy.

She became a specialist in baroque singing and took part in the London premiere of two lost pieces by Handel.

The couple shared a house in West Hampstead, London with other music students.

They became musical as well as marriage partners, touring the world performing a wide range of classical music before returning and having their twins, Gwendolen and Samuel.

With such musical parents, they had little choice in following in the family footsteps, and began learning the violin at the age of three. The twins attended Dauntsey's School at West Lavington where Mrs Martin teaches music.

Gwendolen was head girl this year and received the Barron Prize for the best performance in the senior leavers' concert and another prize for music.

Samuel won the Beryl Gilliat prize for singing, the Richards cup for string playing and the Gordon Saunders memorial trust prize for drama.

Several of Mr Martin's works will be played by the family on Saturday.

Gwendolen is also a budding composer and the twins will play Dolly's Song, which she wrote as a present for Samuel on their 18th birthday.

Tickets for the concert are available from Maggie Garratt on (01249) 816290 or Terry Thornton on (01249) 814021.