Here's something to bang on about...

A new set of kettledrums donated by a York firm gets its first bashing at a City of York Guildhall Orchestra concert next month.

The instruments were given to York musician Francesca Rochester, who for more than 20 years has played timpani in the prestigious City of York Guildhall Orchestra, but she has never had her own set of kettledrums.

Until, that is, her employer, the York-based Agilisys - part of Jarvis - came to the rescue and presented the orchestra with four new timpani of its own.

"I always felt I made a sad and woolly sound before," said Francesca, a business analyst. "The timpani had always been messed around by other people. The new drums have a much sharper and well-defined tone, with a distinct effect on the overall sound to the orchestra."

Kevin Lavery, chief executive of Agilisys, said: "The orchestra is a cultural jewel in the city, and I look forward to hearing them play again at their next concert in February." The kettledrums will make their debut at the orchestra's concert on Saturday, February 8.

Updated: 10:05 Tuesday, January 28, 2003