One of the finest orchestras in Gloucestershire will be performing in Cheltenham this weekend.

The Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra will be making their first performance of a new term on Saturday when they play a selection of much-loved ballet music at St Andrew’s Church.

The concert gets underway at 7:30pm and long-time member Laura Morris is looking forward to getting back amongst her fellow orchestra members for what promises to be a fantastic evening of music.

She said: “It’s going to be a wonderful evening, it always is when you get to play alongside so many talented musicians. Our resident flautist, Catherine Billington, is going to be performing a flute concerto and the person who wrote the concerto – Mathew Curtis – is hopefully going to be in attendance on Saturday. It’s going to be a very special evening.

“Our conductor on Saturday is Gavin Sutherland who is the Music Director of English National Ballet. He’s arranged a real mix of popular ballet music that I’m sure the audience will enjoy.

“Gavin is lovely to work with, he’s always got a joke to tell and makes all of us feel at ease. We’re so excited about Saturday, he’s such an experienced conductor and we all trust him.

“Our last rehearsal is on Friday evening and then it’s concert time on Saturday evening.”

Laura, who plays the French horn in the orchestra, joined the Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra 12 years ago but she admits there will be a few nerves before the concert on Saturday gets underway.

She continued: “A few nerves are good I think. I’ve been involved in the orchestra for many years and I still get a few butterflies in the minutes before playing. There’s also plenty of excitement and anticipation as well.

“As musicians there’s nothing better than playing in front of an enthusiastic audience, it’s lovely when people enjoy what we do.”

Since forming in 1966 the Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra has retained its tradition of performing music from the 17th Century to the present day and, through its regular concerts in Pittville Pump Room and St Andrew’s Church, Montpellier, has built up an appreciative audience.