NEXT weekend heralds a series of live music happenings across the UK, from Cornwall to the Shetland Isles, and Birmingham to Belfast.

Devised and led by the BBC, it will be the first nationwide countdown event to the London 2012 Festival.

Under the banner of Music Nation, it represents a partnership headed by Arts Council England, to celebrate the richness, diversity and excellence of Britain's culture, primarily through classical, but also encompassing jazz, folk and world music.

The BBC Concert Orchestra returns to Plymouth Pavilions on Saturday, March 3 at 7pm, for a special concert featuring Mercury Music Prize-nominee and BBC Radio 2 Folk Award-winner, Seth Lakeman.

Yelverton-born Seth teams up with Oscar-winning composer and arranger Anne Dudley to bring a fresh new take on some of his popular tracks, and the evening also includes a performance from the 200-strong Devon and Cornwall Family Orchestra and Chorus who, together with the BBC Concert Orchestra, perform a new commission, specially written for the event by workshop-leader and composer Tim Steiner.

The concert will be simultaneously broadcast live on BBC Radio Devon, and Radio Cornwall, and will also feature popular favourites like the Sorcerer's Apprentice, James Bond hits, Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance, music from Carousel, as well as a cinematic sing-along. Tickets (£10, concessions available) are available from the box office (0845 1461460), or online, where booking is cheaper.

From sunrise to sunset the next day, more than 70 ensembles will take part in Sound of the South West, joined by members of the Concert Orchestra, in a day-long event throughout the two counties. Full details are available at the Radio 3 website (www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/musicnation.shtml).