THE driving force behind a new professional Kidderminster orchestra has been praised for her ambition to boost the arts scene in Wyre Forest.

Anticipation is growing for The Kidderminster Festival Orchestra’s inaugural concert, which will be held at Kidderminster Town Hall at 7.30pm on November 4.

The orchestra has been put together by artistic director and principal conductor Annette Jackson and boasts 33 professional musicians who will perform a full programme including pieces by Mozart, Handel and Bach.

Among the acclaimed performers will be Orchestra leader Shulah Oliver, principal cellist Rebecca Rose and BBC Symphony Orchestra trumpeter and international soloist Alan Thomas.

And Annette’s ambitious project has been given backing from the powerful Musician’s Union.

Stephen Brown, of the MU, said: “In this country, orchestras have been struggling and we have not seen a new professional orchestra setting up for some time.

“We are delighted that Annette is doing this and working closely with her to get it up and running.

“It takes a great deal of fortitude and effort to take this on and Annette is also doing it in an area that is not being served as well as it should be.

“The union is also delighted that an orchestra operating in an area of low pay is paying talented musicians the going rate for their services.”

Annette added: “I have spoken to a lot of people and know that the audience and appetite for this is out there. I think we have got the willpower to make it work.

“I have received a lot of advice and assistance from the Musician’s Union about players and we are very excited. We have also received tremendous support from businesses in the area for which we are extremely grateful.”

The orchestra has been supported by Kidderminster Town Hall, Wyre Forest District Council and mfg Solicitors.

TH Bakers signed up as a corporate partner, helping the orchestra cover much of its costs. It has even provided a ‘diamond ticket’ for the evening which will see one ticket stub drawn out to win a diamond pendant worth £600.

Tickets cost £27 for stalls and £30 for the balcony and are available from Kidderminster Town Hall Box Office on 01562 732158 or by visiting http://www.kidderminstertownhall.org.uk

For more information on The Kidderminster Festival Orchestra, visit www.tkfo.co.uk