Wrexham Symphony Orchestra opens its season with The Rite of Spring at William Aston Hall

Wrexham Symphony Orchestra is back in the rehearsal room after its summer break, and its new season promises everything from a riot-inducing ballet score to the music of Star Wars.

The orchestra describes itself as a leading non-professional orchestra based in North Wales, and it is the orchestra in residence at the William Aston Hall at Wrexham University. "Our new season has something for everyone," said chair Matthew Ellis. "We can't wait to welcome audiences, old and new, to the William Aston Hall for this spectacular new season."

The season opens on Sunday 8 November with Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, conducted by Mark Lansom. The piece, known for its revolutionary rhythms and orchestral colour, famously caused a near riot at its Paris premiere in 1913 and is best known to many as part of the soundtrack to Disney's Fantasia. It is paired with Rachmaninoff's Fourth Piano Concerto and Mathias' Jubilee Dances.

The Christmas concert on Sunday 13 December is a narrated performance of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker, with narration by Amanda Northwood and musical direction from Bedwyn Phillips. The orchestra promises a world of festive wonder, where Tchaikovsky's iconic score shimmers with colour.

On Sunday 28 February comes WSO at the Movies, which promises the heroics, the heartbreak and the edge-of-your-seat suspense of the big screen, a programme of classic film scores including Star Wars, Superman, Casablanca and Back to the Future. In May the orchestra performs a narrated The Sleeping Beauty, again under Bedwyn Phillips, and the season ends in July with Elgar's Enigma, conducted by Richard Howarth, featuring Holst, Strauss's Four Last Songs with Ukrainian soprano Khrystyna Makar, and the Enigma Variations, including the much-loved Nimrod.

With afternoon concerts at 3.30pm through the winter, it is an easy way to enjoy a full symphony orchestra without leaving Wrexham.

The orchestra also welcomes new players, and details of how to join are on its website, along with a look back at past concerts and the orchestra's history.

Tickets and the full programme are available at wrexhamorch.co.uk.