"In 1977 I went to the Three Choirs Festival in Hereford in the UK - it is the oldest classical musical festival in the world celebrating 300 years this year - and attended a few other festivals while I was there and they all seemed to be attached to a church somehow," he said.

"So when it was suggested that we have a chamber music festival at St Jude's, I was all for it and the rector agreed.

"We held four concerts over the weekend in that first year, featuring the music of Beethoven. The following year was Schubert and an extra concert at the Mittagong Playhouse was introduced."

Two years in, Yvette Goodchild took over as musical director and continued the traditional of attracting world-class musicians to perform in Bowral. Yvette herself was a violinist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and her husband Paul plays the trumpet in the same orchestra, and had performed at previous Bowral Autumn Music Festivals.

Ms Goodchild delivered programs following themes such as included Brahms and Mendelssohn, Russian Composers, and Mozart in Vienna and ensured the festival was always held in very high esteem by both musicians and the audience.

This year Myee Clohessy has taken the musical direction reigns.

Ms Clohessy, a violinist and Frensham old girl, spent fifteen years in demand on the international circuit before returning to Australia and now plays in the Acacia Quartet.

This year's repertoire will feature classics from Mozart, Vivaldi and Dvorak among others, but will also introduce some lesser-known works by people such as Gershwin, Kreisler and Schulhoff.

Mr Beavis said the festival struggles with the paradox of needing to pay the going rate to ensure quality musicians, but generally attracting an older crowd who pay the seniors discount entry and will not pay Sydney prices.

To combat this the Bowral Autumn Music Festival Society was established.

"It is going quite well and it keeps us afloat. Some people have been extremely generous with their donation," Mr Beavis said.

"While Society membership fees are tax-deductible, members do receive an invitation to a reception on the Saturday afternoon," he said.

Before each concert Mr Beavis showcases the magnificent organ in St Jude's.

"I provide a prelude to each event. We have spent close to $280,000 restoring the organ over the years and it is now the best between Sydney and Goulburn."

The organ is also put to good use with the Young Organist Recital on the Friday afternoon. The performer is usually a competition winner.

"Right from the start we have attracted good numbers to every concert, even as we add performances," he said.

"People come from Sydney, Canberra and the coast. When we added Mittagong Playhouse we attracted a new crowd as well."

The weekend festival now boasts eight events this weekend, from today, Friday March 27 to Sunday March 29, mainly at St Jude's. Tickets are available for the whole weekend, or per event.

For more information visit www.bowralautumnmusic

festival.org or call 4871 1086.