SETTLE Orchestra, a full-sized symphony orchestra is looking forward to another exciting season - with a new guest conductor on board.

Each year, the orchestra welcomes a young conductor from the graduate conducting course at the Royal Northern College of Music.

This year’s conductor is Maria Camila (Maca) Barbosa, a pianist and conductor from Columbia, who has already an impressive CV with conducting appearances in Bogotá, Sao Paulo, Florence and Manchester – and even an earlier cameo appearance with Settle Orchestra.

There will be two concerts each term, one in Settle and one in Skipton. In the autumn, the orchestra will join forces with the Langcliffe Singers for Brahms’ moving and consoling “German Requiem”, with concerts in Skipton on November, 18 conducted by Maca Barbosa, and in Settle November 25, conducted by Darren Everhart.

A spokesperson for the orchestra said: "For the concerts in spring and summer 2024 Maca has chosen some very popular and impressive works, including Elgar’s cello concerto with Bob Buller, our principal cellist, Richard Strauss’ first horn concerto, and Beethoven’s seventh symphony.

"We are always glad to hear from anyone who might like to join Settle Orchestra, or write music for us. We particularly welcome young instrumentalists and composers, and currently have vacancies for string and brass players."

Rehearsals take place in Settle on Friday evenings, with additional players sometimes needed for specific concerts. Professional musicians are welcome.

For more details of concerts and on how to get involved in the orchestra, visit: www.settleorchestra.org.uk.