WILL there be a doctor in the house during next month's Wagner and Vienna concert by the Sinfonia of Leeds? The answer is definitely "Yes".

Among a clutch of PhDs and three dentists, the orchestra has three medical doctors, including 28-year-old violinist Amanda Crawshaw making her debut as deputy leader.

Amanda, who lives at Wheldrake, near York, joined the Sinfonia three years ago, and is specialist registrar in medicines for the elderly at Hull Royal Infirmary.

As a medical student she led the Leeds University Symphony Orchestra and in her home town of Bristol she played with the County of Avon Schools Orchestra.

The concert, at Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College on December 9, features soprano Victoria Sharp from Opera North. Works will include extracts from Wagner's operas The Mastersingers, Lohengrin, Tristan & Isolde, and Tannhauser, and waltzes and songs from Lehar and Strauss and the ever-popular Radetsky March.

Tickets cost £7 (£5 concessions) are available at the city centre box office (telephone 0113 224 3801/2) or online on reservations@sinfoniaofleeds.org.uk

Updated: 11:11 Wednesday, November 14, 2001