LARGE concerts, free lunchtime gigs and jazz in the town centre will be just some of the ingredients of the 16th International Maidstone Music and Dance Festival.

The festival, which starts on Saturday, June 7, and runs until July 12, will be one of last chances to see Jeffrey Vaughan Martin conduct Maidstone Choral Union during the festival concert.

The concert, which will take place on July 5, from 7.30pm, at Mote Hall, Maidstone Leisure Centre, is described as a “fitting swansong” for Mr Martin, who will continue to pursue other musical interests.

Maidstone Choral Union will sing Verdi’s Requiem, and the Decin Choir, from the Czech Republic who are in Maidstone on an exchange visit, will also perform.

Following the success of last weekend’s Battle of Maidstone re-enactment, the festival will open with a concert featuring music commissioned to mark the 360th anniversary of the battle.

The Cavaliers and Roundheads (Battle of Maidstone) by Maidstone Winds’ band member Richard Hubbert, was commissioned for the annniversary.

It will be performed by Maidstone Winds at their 10th anniversary concert at North Barn, The Friars, Aylesford, on Saturday, June 7, from 7.30pm.

Maidstone Winds’ musical director Jeremy Cooper will share conducting duties with the band’s founder Brendon le Page and Mr Martin, in recognition of his contribution to music in Maidstone.

The concert is also raising money for the Heart of Kent Hospice. A grant from Maidstone council means all proceeds can be donated.

Other events taking place next week include the Maidstone Schools’ recorder festival at All Saints’ Church, Mill Street, Maidstone, on Thursday, June 12, from 1.05pm. Entry is free.

Next Saturday, June 14, Maidstone Operatic Society will perform its summer concert at St Nicholas’ Church, Otham, from 7.30pm.

Future events include two Saturdays of jazz music in the town and performances from Pete’s Corner Big Band, from Holland.

Jane Anderson, project manager at Jupiter Workshops, which organises the festival, said: “Every year we try and do something fresh and there will be something for everyone.

“We offer a mix of lunchtime concerts, through to big, ticketed ones.

“This year we are using the town hall as a concert venue, something which we hope is going to grow.”

The festival started as a way of attracting bands, often from abroad, to play in the town, rather than pass through it on their way to other festivals.

Tickets for the Maidstone Winds 10th anniversary concert on Saturday, June 7, are £6 (£5 concessions, under 16s go free) are available by calling 01732 365698.

Tickets for the festival concert on July 5, cost from £6 to £15, and are available from 0845 155 2277, or Sharon Music in Maidstone High Street.

For more information, call the festival office on 01622 695283.