FRIENDS and supporters of the English Symphony Orchestra are being invited to a concert to celebrate the new year.

Directed by Michael Bochmann and featuring ESO musicians and the Fine Arts Brass Ensemble, the concert will showcase the orchestra's principal string and trumpet players.

There will also be guest appearances by Malcolm Henderson and Stephen Warner and admission is by donation.

The programme will include Debussy's Golliwog's Cake Walk, Handel's Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Vivaldi's Concerto for four Violins in Bb, and also music by Gershwin, Dizzy Gillespie, Irving Berlin and other favourites from the golden era of swing.

Artistic director and conductor William Boughton said: "This annual ESO Friends fundraising concert has become an essential lifeline for the orchestra.

"This year we urgently need to raise funds to maintain the orchestra's important work, not only for our established concert programme in Malvern, but also our other vital work with our youth orchestras, schools, nursery and percussion projects.

"For instance - a donation of £30 per seat could raise a much-needed £30,000 towards our fundraising target of £40,000. We can also claim Gift Aid Relief on donations from taxpayers. Of course, larger donations would be hugely appreciated, but we ask only that audience contribute what is comfortable for them.

"All supporters of the ESO will receive a very warm welcome."

The concert is on Friday, January 28, at Malvern Theatres.

Tickets can be reserved by telephoning the ESO office on 01684 560696.