​Ripon Community Orchestra, which performs regularly in Bishop Monkton Village Hall, is keen to attract new members from the village.

Joy Fletcher from the Orchestra told us:- "We are a friendly amateur orchestra with members of all ages. We welcome new members and rehearse most Tuesday Evenings at 7:30pm in Bishop Monkton Village Hall. All players whose instruments have been gathering dust for far too long, or who have perhaps recently moved to the area and have been looking for somewhere to play, will be most welcome. You can come to a rehearsal on a Tuesday, free of charge, to try us out. We are directed by Xenophon Kelsey who has a wealth of experience as a conductor and instrumentalist. Players need to be capable of playing Grade 4 upwards".

The Orchestra also has a public concert in the VH in a few weeks time. Their Winter Concert is on Sunday 2nd February 2025, at 3:30pm.

The Orchestra will be playing a selection of music including:- Austrian Dances, by Max Schonherr Op. 25; the last movement from Dvorak's New World Symphony No 9 in E minor; the Capriol Suite by Peter Warlock, The Musicians of Bremen by Richard Shephard with Narrator Jane Kelsey. The strings are doing three short pieces by Bela Bartok and the wind is playing Old Wine in New Bottles by Gordon Jacob.

Tea and cake with be available to purchase. Admission free but donations welcome.

For more details about the Orchestra visit www.riponcommunityorchestra.co.ukTo