AFTER two years of uncertainty, the St John’s Lunchtime Concerts are to launch this year’s series with the highly experienced Skylark Quartet.

The Skylarks come from the far corners of the world and have enjoyed careers spanning five continents.

Now based in the South West, they met as freelance professional musicians and saw the potential for making wonderful chamber music.

Australian Judith Hall came to Britain to be the Principal at The Royal Opera House. After deciding to follow a solo career, she has travelled extensively and recorded several CDs.

Lynn Carter, who is a well-known oboist to many of us took a devious route via Mexico, North America, Germany, and Switzerland to work with a number of leading orchestras.

Victoria Loram first came to fame as a regionalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Musician of the Year and has enjoyed working as a clarinettist with orchestras such as the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

Jo Amason and her bassoon have worked in far-flung places like Iceland and the USA after performing as the soloist in both The Royal Albert Hall and The Royal Festival Hall.

She now enjoys playing with The Dartington Sinfonietta, Duchy Opera and the Ten Tours Orchestra.

Their concert “Entente Cordiale” had an enclitic programme including some English folk tunes and music by interesting composers such as Claude Arrieu and Malcolm Arnold.

The free event will start at 12.45pm at St John’s Church, Park Street, Taunton, on May 13.