The Perks Ensemble has an irresistible charm that is due in no small measure to the fact that its three energetic and committed founding members all just happen to be related. During the summer months the group's vibrant members will be performing at a number of venues in France and the UK, including Exeter, Bridport, Ilminster and Shute, near Axminster in Devon for Concerts in the West.

This dynamic chamber ensemble was created in 2012 by two brothers - Oscar and Elliott Perks - and their sister Ursula. Together they have earned a highly deserved reputation for playing exciting performances of both their own arrangements as well as chamber music classics.

Catherine Hodgson, founder and director of Concerts in the West, said: "The Perks Ensemble is a mind glowingly brilliant group of young musicians who are utterly devoted to their music. Their performance of 'In the Penal Colony' by Philip Glass, in collaboration with Shadwell Opera, was described as "unrelenting fervour" and they have a well deserved reputation for their dynamic and vivid interpretations. They are a breath of fresh air and I am confident that they are going to wow all our audiences."

Oscar Perks plays both violin and viola and has already experienced a varied career performing at many leading London venues, including Wigmore Hall, Barbican, Royal Festival Hall and Kings Place, as well as live on Radio Three. He has a packed programme of work that involves him as second violinist of the Dante Quartet, as well as assistant violin teacher at the Yehudi Menuhin School. Oscar started playing violin at the age of five and was awarded a place at the Yehudi Menuhin School. He went on to read music at Cambridge where he led the University Chamber Orchestra and was invited to perform with the Endellion String Quartet. At the Royal College, he gained his Masters with distinction.

Oscar's composition The Twin Towers (2001) for string quartet also won the BBC Guardian young composer competition and was premiered at the Wigmore Hall.

Elliott Perks is a London based freelance viola player who also runs the Yehudi Menuhin School's 'Chance to Play' outreach programme. He performs regularly with the Perks Ensemble, as well as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player. He originally studied violin at the Yehudi Menuhin School, where he was awarded a place in 2001, however in 2008, he switched to viola. Elliott was a foundation scholar at the Royal College of Music.

Cellist Reinoud Ford studied with Louise Hopkins at the Yehudi Menuhin School before graduating with First Class Honours from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (2007), where he also completed a Masters (2009). As a student at the Guildhall, he won the Guilhermina Suggia Award (2004), the Flame Competition in Paris (2006) and became a finalist in the Royal Over Seas League (2006). Reinoud continues to be in demand as a soloist and recent performance highlights include recitals in the Villa Borghese, Rome (2013) and for the diplomatic community in Doha, Qatar (2011) as well as other concertos with London-based orchestras (Jupiter Chamber Orchestra, Hounslow Symphony Orchestra). Reinoud performs, tours and composes with singer-songwriter Keaton Henson.

Musical Programme - The Perks Ensemble (Oscar Perks, Elliott Perks and Reinoud Ford:

Mozart Divertimento for String Trio in E flat major K 563; Francaix String Trio (1933); Beethoven String Trio in C minor Op 9 No 3

Bridport: Francaix and Beethoven

Performance and Box Office Details for The Perks Ensemble:

• Thursday 3 September 2015 7.30pm, St Stephen's, High Street (opposite Marks & Spencer), Exeter. Box Office: 01392 667080. Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, Exeter, Devon, EX4 3LS. Tickets: £15. Concessions for students and children. Town car parks - Interval drinks. Disabled access