Tickets for the ninth visit to the Bermuda Festival by the English Chamber Orchestra (ECO) sold out long ago, but there is still a chance for children to hear this world-famous group at two special concerts.

The two one-hour sessions will be presided over by Britain's latest musical wonder, conductor Charles Hazlewood, who has taken that country -- and several others -- by storm. Bermuda, incidentally, scores a coup all of its own in this regard, as his appearances in Bermuda mark his debut as conductor of the English Chamber Orchestra.

Festival chairman Peter Lloyd, who describes the ECO as "probably the best chamber orchestra in the world'' says the young conductor is already well known for his special interest in children and young people and "that was one reason why we invited him to come. One of the aims of the Festival has always been to encourage young Bermudians to take an interest in music and one of Lord Menuhin's dearest wishes when he agreed to come here for that very first Festival was to further that cause. As we all know, that led to the formation of the Menuhin Foundation -- and these two children's concerts are all part of the same objective. So we are hoping that parents who have children learning instruments will bring them along.'' The first matinee concert is geared toward younger children under the age of about eight, and they are being encouraged to bring their own instruments along or "anything they can bang together''. The second concert, which will feature an entirely different programme, will cater to a slightly older age group.

In 1995 Charles Hazlewood, nominated by the BBC and Britain's sole entry, won first prize in the International Young Conductors' Competition in Lisbon.

Educated at Oxford University, he founded and is still music director of the chamber orchestra Eos, created by him in an effort to break down barriers between audience and artists in the presentation of live music. He is also director of Broomhill Opera, recognised for the past two years in the Prudential Arts Awards as second only in the UK to the world-famous Glyndebourne.

Shortly after his visit to Bermuda, BBC TV will present him, with Jonathan Miller, in a six-part series entitled "Opera Works''.

The ECO's commitment to young musicians is also demonstrated by its invitation to young Bermudian Mark Lomas, currently studying at the Juilliard School of Music, to play as guest soloist in their performance of Five Bagatelles for Clarinet and Orchestra on January 17.

"This is the second time the orchestra has invited a Bermuda student to play with them, the first being Kenny Amis (tuba), who is now with what is probably the best brass group in the US, Empire Brass in Boston. We hope that Mark will be as successful in his career as Kenny has been. The Festival committee felt it would be an excellent opportunity for a young Bermudian musician to play with a world-famous orchestra -- something that might otherwise not happen to a student!'' The English Chamber Orchestra's two one-hour concerts will take place on Saturday, January 18 at City Hall at 2.30 and 4 p.m. The Festival Box Office (next to the Ferry Terminal) is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, telephone 295-1727.

Charles Hazlewood