Marking the 100th anniversary of the First World War in 2018, Tonbridge Philharmonic Society are focussing their season on musically representing the power of triumph over adversity in the face of such turbulent times.

Twentieth century composers Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber's music provides grandeur mixed with simplicity, including Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man in response to the US entry into the Second World War, and Barber’s Adagio, which was voted by BBC’s Today programme listeners the saddest classical work ever.

Shostakovich offers a glimpse into the horrors of war with his Symphony No. 7 in C major, entitled Leningrad, serving as a memorial to more than 25 million people who died in Russia during the war and a piece rarely performed by amateur groups due to its scale.

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The first concert of the season will be on Saturday, February 17 at Tonbridge School Chapel.

Tickets cost £16, with under 12s free. Book at tonphil.org.uk/tickets or pop into Brittens Music in Grove Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells Country Garden Florist in Tonbridge High Street or Wolfit Pet Shop, also in Tonbridge High Street.