Orchestra forced to disband

Around 70 members of Junction 10 Orchestra, which has played most of its concerts in Walsall but has also taken the stage at Birmingham Symphony Hall, have decided to quit in a show of solidarity.

Everyone has vowed not to play on under that name any more because of conductor Peter Morris' decision to lay down his baton.

They have played 45 concerts over the last nine years at venues including Birmingham's Symphony Hall, Walsall Town Hall and Walsall's New Art gallery.

The symphony orchestra is set to play its final concert in Albrighton Church, Staffordshire, on June 23.

Mr Morris said: "I shall miss the performances and rehearsing with so many friends but running an orchestra like Junction 10 can be very stressful and time-consuming.

"It has been an entirely unpaid occupation and I'm glad to say we've raised substantial funds for charities.

"It will come as some relief because it will free up time for other things but it will also be quite sad."

Mr Morris, who founded the orchestra in 1998, asked to lay down his baton because of the pressure of other work.

Among other jobs, he is borough organist at Walsall Town Hall and conductor of Walsall Choral Society, conductor of Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra and director of Music at St Peter's Collegiate Church in Wolverhampton.

The final concert includes Mendelssohn's music for A Midsummer Night's Dream and Italian Symphony.

Previously, the orchestra has performed to raise money for a range of local and international charities, as well as church funds.