AS an enthusiastic supporter of York's orchestral concerts I was dismayed to find the York Guildhall Orchestra and the equally-fine BBC Philharmonic are scheduled for the same night - October 13.

This is ludicrous. The result must be halving of each potential audience, with all this means for the enjoyment of players, conductor and listeners.

Musicians do not like playing to a half-empty auditorium.

A further result could easily be that the BBC Philharmonic will consider it no longer financially viable to play in York and we shall be deprived of a major pleasure. This season they are only visiting once. There should be a co-ordinating committee for York's musical life to avoid such foolish clashes in future.

I am happy to invite all those who promote concerts to meet so the 2002-3 season can be better planned.

Ian Small,

Bootham School,

Bootham,

York.

Updated: 10:37 Thursday, October 04, 2001