YOUNG musicians have won praise for a performance which turned the Southend Youth Orchestra into a roaring success.

The group played a concert at Westcliff High School for Boys, including classical favourites such as Schubert’s Unfinished Symphony.

Formed in September 2012 and funded by Southend Music Education Hub, the orchestra’s string sectionwas coached by a member of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and performed in a pre-concert show at the Cliffs Pavilion, in Westcliff.

Southend councillor for children and learning, James Courtenay, said: “This was a fantastic performance from an orchestra that has been in existence for less than 18 months.

“The depth of talent among our young people never ceases to amazeme and I look forward to their appearance at Village Green on Friday, July 11.”

Southend Youth Orchestra gives young musicians an invaluable opportunity to gain all-round musical experience, providing social and musical benefits.

The orchestra’s woodwind sectionwill soon have the same opportunity as its string colleagues and be coached by a leading musician.

On May 8, the whole orchestra will perform at the mayormaking ceremony at Southend Civic Centre as the town’s new mayor is sworn into office.

The orchestra will also visit Salzburg, Austria, this summer, and will warm up for those performances with a show on July 19 at a Southend venue yet to be confirmed.

Several members of the orchestra have gone on to be part of the National Youth Orchestra and Southend leader Eliza Nagle has just been accepted by the prestigious Purcell School for young musicians.

For more information on the orchestra, or to join, e-mail musicservices@southend.

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