YORKSHIRE author, public speaker and Dales schools inspector Gervase Phinn will take part in a one-off performance at York Minster with Minster School musicians on Tuesday at 7pm.

Proceeds will go towards the conservation of the minster.

An Evening With Gervase Phinn And Friends will celebrate the achievements of teachers and children and will feature young musicians and instrumentalists of the Minster School Junior Choir, led by director of music Alison Forster.

The junior choir comprises 57 children aged seven to ten, some but not all of whom sing in the Minster choir. Their repertoire spans the sacred and the secular, including western, African and gospel music, and among their highlights will be Bob Chilcott’s Can You Hear Me?, a song written from the perspective of a deaf child that will involve the choir signing as well as singing.

Alison says: “The students are so pleased to be involved in such an exciting event. They’re particularly looking forward to performing alongside such a popular author as Gervase.”

Phinn was a teacher for 14 years before becoming an education adviser and schools inspector. He is now a freelance lecturer, wry-witted writer and broadcaster and in 2006 he became the president of the School Library Association.

“I’m delighted and honoured to be appearing in York Minster and for such a worthy cause,” he says.

Tickets are on sale from York Minster’s box office on 01904 557208 or in person at Church House, Ogleforth, York. Or email concerts@yorkminster.org