SETTLE Orchestra, under its new conductor Harry Lai, will launch its new season with afternoon concerts in Settle on Saturday, November 23, and in Skipton on Saturday, November 30.

For his first concert with the orchestra Harry has chosen three works by German and Austrian composers. Haydn’s symphony no 103, beginning with the mysterious drum roll, has been a favourite with English audiences ever since its premiere in 1780s London and provides a spirited end to the concert.

The other two works are less well-known to modern audiences, but no less approachable – Schumann’s sparkling “Overture, Scherzo and Finale”, almost a miniature symphony; and the flute concerto by his pupil Karl Reinecke, full of elegant melodies and sumptuous harmonies.

The soloist in the concerto will be Ellen Buller, a former member of the orchestra and daughter of Settle Orchestra's principal cellist. Ellen has recently graduated from the Royal College of Music in London and is now active both as a player and in music education.

Both concerts, at Settle Parish Church on November 23, and at Christ Church, Skipton on November 30, will start at 3.30 pm, an earlier start time which proved popular with our audiences last year.

Further details and tickets from the orchestra’s website at http://www.settleorchestra.org.uk/