SKIPTON Music will hold its 68th season of concerts at a new venue.

It is leaving Skipton Town Hall because of the ongoing refurbishment work and moving to the town’s Christ Church on Keighley Road.

“The church is light and airy and we will decide after the town hall work is complete whether we go back,” said concerts secretary Bunty Leder.

Another unusual feature of this season is that all the concerts are instrumental, with no vocalist.

Bunty said: “It is not a deliberate decision – it’s just the how it fell into place.”

The season kicks off on Tuesday, October 14, with the award-winning Wu Quartet, which regularly performs across the UK and Europe.

“They are young international artists who are on the ascendant,” said Bunty.

Next to perform on Tuesday, November 18, will be the Gould Piano Trio, whose ranks include Yorkshire-born pianist Benjamin Frith.

He, along with violinist Lucy Gould and cellist Alice Neary, will play works by Schumann, Macmillan and Beethoven.

The December concert will be given by the Cuillin Sound Wing Trio – which comprises flautist Dana Morgan, clarinettist Sarah Watts and bassoonist Laurence Perkins.

They take their name from the stretch of water between Syke and Rhum, overlooked by the Cuillin Hills, and their programme on Tuesday, December 9, will have flavour of the Western Isles.

There will be local interest when Kensington Brass takes to the stage on Tuesday, January 20.

Its members include former Ermysted’s Grammar School pupil Adam Stockbridge, who formed the group with nine fellow students from Royal College of Music.

And the brass dectet will also perform at the annual concert for 300 children aged between nine and 11.

There is another musical treat on Tuesday, February 17, when London-based cello octet Cellophony entertains.

“The range of the eight cellos is very exciting and something I have never heard before,” said Bunty.

The season will close on Tuesday, March 28, with a concert by young Lativian pianist Arta Arnicane, who will present her “dramas and comedies” programme.

All concerts start at 7.30pm and tickets are available from skiptonmusic.org.uk or call 01756 799912.