HALESOWEN Orchestra is holding a seminal concert next weekend which will see the debut of its new conductor.

Welsh pianist Leanne Cody, who is a regular on Radio 3, will join Thomas Jarvis for the concert at the Cornbow Hall The concert on Saturday, December 14, will include the works of Verdi and Schubert as well as a Saints-Saens piano concerto.

Sue Miles, the orchestra's publicity officer, said: "This will be our new, talented, young conductor's debut concert with the orchestra.

"Thomas Jarvis was appointed during the summer, from a list of 11 excellent applications, when our previous musical director, Martin Leigh, left us after 13 highly successful years, to take up the post of musical director at the prestigious King’s School, Ely."

Mr Jarvis, aged 22, was brought up in Sheffield and played the trumpet for six years in the City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra.

Graduated with a first class honours degree from the University of Manchester in 2012 he has since performed across the world with a variety of orchestras.

He moved to Birmingham to work in King Edward VI High School for Girls' music department, where he runs and accompanies several school ensembles, and teaches classroom music.

He said: "I am looking forward to working with the orchestra this year and in the future as I very much enjoyed my first term with them."

The pieces being performed include Verdi's Prelude to Aida, Saint-Seans 2nd Piano Concerto and Schubert 's Symphony No. 9 Great C Major.

Tickets for the concert, which starts at 7.30pm on Saturday, December 14 at the Cornbow Hall, cost £10 and will be available on the door.

For more information visit www.halesowenorchestra.co.uk.