THE Academy of St Olave’s is moving its January 23 concert to St Peter's School Memorial Hall after the sudden closure of St Olave's Church, in Marygate, York, for roof repairs.

"We're determined to present our lovely January concert programme, despite hearing just before Christmas – and after we had included 4,000 flyers in the University of York mail-out of York concerts – that our usual venue, the historic St Olave’s Church, was having to close suddenly for several months for urgent restoration work," says the Academy's chairman, Christine Smith.

"After several very kind offers of a replacement venue, we're delighted to announce that the concert will now take place in the historic surroundings of St Peter’s School Memorial Hall.

York Press:

"We're most grateful to St Peter’s for their kindness and generous support in offering us the use of their lovely Memorial Hall and the concert will now go ahead there at 8pm on Saturday, January 23. We would like to appeal to everyone to come to the concert and spread the word about the change of venue."

The Academy's distinguished musical director, Alan George, of Fitzwilliam Quartet fame, promises "a wonderfully uplifting programme". "We'll be playing the soloistic Bach Brandenburg Concerto No 1, Mendelssohn’s glorious Calm Sea and Prosperous Voyage overture and the magnificent Beethoven 7th Symphony, famously described by Wagner as ‘the Apotheosis of the Dance’," he says.

The Academy has raised thousands of pounds for charity in recent years and so a bucket collection will take place on the evening to support the relief of York flood victims and St Olave’s restoration work.

Tickets cost £12, £11 or £5 for students from Visit York, on 01904 550099 or on the door.