Shrewsbury Symphony Orchestra will uphold its commitment to female composers this season with a performance of Amy Beach’s fascinating Gaelic Symphony.

The Autumn concert at Alington Hall, Shrewsbury School on Wednesday 27 November, will see the orchestra perform this remarkable work - the first symphony ever composed and published by a female American composer. Drawing inspiration from simple English, Scottish and Irish folk tunes, it was first unveiled to public acclaim in Boston in 1896, but has since been largely forgotten - until a recent drive to recognise women composers.

Under the baton of conductor John Moore, and led by Alex Postlethwaite, the orchestra will also play Ballade by Samuel-Coleridge Taylor, composer of the famous Song of Hiawatha - who was referred to as the ‘African Mahler’ by white musicians in New York in the early 1900s.

And finally, Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo, by Aaron Copland will complete the concert from the ballet which premiered in 1942. The suite features the well-known Buckaroo Holiday, Corral Nocturne, Saturday Night Waltz and Hoe-Down.

The Shrewsbury Symphony Orchestra is one of the oldest amateur orchestras in the country, founded in 1888. Players are talented and experienced amateur musicians and peripatetic music teachers from across the county. In recent years, it has gained a stellar reputation for delivering high quality concerts in Shrewsbury - including the popular charity outdoor concerts at Shrewsbury Castle every summer.

The Shrewsbury Symphony Autumn Concert is on Wednesday 27 November at The Alington Hall, Shrewsbury School, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £16.50 (£2 for children) and can be purchased here.