Students, tutors and organisers from the council’s arts academy for young people are issuing an open invitation to come and get in a festive frame of mind listening to their work at the annual Christmas Concert, and to find out more about the academy at its Open Day.

York Arts Academy’s Christmas Concert will take place on Saturday 7 December at the University of York’s Central Hall. Performances will take place at 11am, 2pm and 7pm and feature around 250 instrumentalists and singers from the academy’s ensembles who will be joined by pupils from Huntington Primary School.

The groups taking part in this festival of seasonal music are:

· 11am – First strings, Huntington Primary School, Folkestra, String Orchestra, Junior Guitar Circle,

· 2pm – Umbu Drummers, Brass and Wind Ensemble, Young Voices, Improvisation Group, Intermediate Band

· 7pm – Concert Band, Chamber Choir, Senior Guitar Circle, Minster Minstrels, Big Band, String Quartet, Symphony Orchestra.

People inspired by what they’ve heard at the concerts or who want to find out when they can take part, can go along to the York Arts Academy Open Day the following week on Saturday 14 December from 9.30am to 12.30pm at Canon Lee School. There will be opportunities for children and young people aged three to 18, their parents, carers and teachers, to find out more about what happens at the Academy and to have a go at various musical instruments. There will even be the chance to join in group instrumental music making and singing.

Ticket prices for the Christmas concert are £5 for all three performances, £2.50 for concessions, and those aged under 18 go free. They can be bought on the day at the door.

For further information about the Academy visit http://www.yorkartseducation.org.uk/, email artseducation@york.gov.uk or call 01904 554275.