Two of the UK's best young classical musicians will perform in Bristol in July, at the Prom on The Close in the grounds of Clifton College.

The open-air concert, on Saturday, July 4 – supported by the Bristol Post and our sister paper, the Western Daily Press – is regarded as the best in the region.

Soprano Natasha Marsh and tenor Nicky Spence will sing, supported by The Emerald Ensemble and the Clifton College choir and musicians.

Natasha, 32, is one of the Britain's most exciting opera singers and is a highly-respected soprano in opera. Her debut album, Amour, hit the top of the classic charts within a week of release in 2007.

Nicky, 25, is a highly-accomplished tenor who released his first album, My First Love, in 2007. He won a coveted Katherine Ferrier singers prize at 18 and has toured with Lesley Garrett, Katherine Jenkins and Bryn Terfel.

The Prom on The Close is also part of the University of Bristol's centenary celebrations, and will welcome alumni, staff and students.

There will be a marquee exclusively for Bristol alumni, with the opportunity to enjoy a drink or picnic with friends and family.

Mike Innes, managing director of Clifton College Services Ltd, the organisers of Prom on The Close, said: "With all this doom and gloom about, it's great to be planning such a fun event for the summer.

"We have reduced the ticket prices and are putting even more emphasis on fun for all the family, as well as offering great music.

"Clifton College is delighted to be working with the University of Bristol, the Western Daily Press and the Bristol Post.

"The associations will have undoubted benefits and we're particularly pleased that our nominated charity, Children's Hospices UK, will be a beneficiary this year."

Tania Jane Rawlinson, the university's director of campaigns and alumni relations, said: "The Prom on The Close is one of the highlights of the university's Centenary Alumni Weekend, the biggest event for former students Bristol University has ever hosted.

"Alumni from all parts of the world are preparing for a weekend of renewing friendships, and rediscovering the familiar and brand new faces of the university and the city of Bristol.

"We are very excited about joining forces with Clifton College for The Prom on The Close and hope many Bristolians will celebrate with us."

The university is in contact with 100,000 former students in the UK and in 170 countries around the world.

For the centenary alumni weekend, a record attendance of more than 2,000 former students and their families and friends are expected to return to Bristol.

The Emerald Ensemble will perform many popular classics from the big screen, and conductor Jae Alexander is making a welcome return to The Prom on The Close.

The Emerald Ensemble is Bristol's professional chamber orchestra, a lively and dynamic ensemble which was formed in 1994 by violinist Roger Huckle.

It is the largest independent classical music organisation based in the South West and has an extensive national concert and education programme.

Clifton College has a worldwide reputation for excellence in music and its thriving music department, under the leadership of its director, James Hills, continues to support, educate and encourage some of the most promising performers of the future.

Discounted tickets are available for University of Bristol alumni, staff and students. Visitors can choose from picnic tickets (standard and VIP), seated (in front of the stage) or book a table in the marquee.

Tickets start from £20 and are available from www.promontheclose.com or booking line 0870 7740577. Gates open at 4.30pm, and the concert starts at 7.30pm.

The Centenary Alumni Weekend will take place from Friday, July 3 to Sunday, July 5. For more information and to book tickets, University of Bristol alumni should go to www.bristol.ac.uk/alumni/events.