HUNDREDS of young Hampshire musicians packed into the Royal Albert Hall for a special St George’s Day event.

Performing with their schools or as part of Hampshire Music Service’s county and area youth ensembles, more than 1,700 gave the concert of a lifetime at the famous venue.

In what was the largest event ever organised by the county council’s music service, with almost 200 schools taking part, pupils aged from seven to 19 performed an extensive programme that included wind, string and brass ensembles, orchestras, massed choirs, dancers and groups that specialise in samba, jazz and Japanese Taiko drumming.

Special guests were also on hand including Band of the Scots Guards, together with actors Sarah Parish as narrator, and Christian Brassington as compere.

St Mary’s CE Junior School in Old Basing, near Basingstoke, had 33 pupils performing at the concert.

Headteacher Caroline Welch said: “How many children, or in fact adults, can say that they have performed at the Royal Albert Hall?

"Our children were enthralled. I loved watching their faces as they entered the auditorium for the first time – true awe and wonder. It was a wonderful celebration of the strength and depth of music in Hampshire.”

Tom Welsh-Smythe, who is a pupil in Year 5 at St Mary’s, sang with his classmates as part of the massed choir.

Tom said: “The whole thing was really exciting. I really enjoy singing, especially jazzy, happy songs, and I am going to carry on singing in the choir.”

Hampshire Music Service co-ordinates bands, ensembles, orchestras and choirs for children and young people, all over Hampshire. The service organises some 400 performances every year, which can range from small gatherings of musicians and their families, to large events in public venues.

Groups of young musicians from Hampshire’s ensembles and choirs have previously performed individual pieces at The Royal Albert Hall, as part of the Music for Youth proms, but this is the first time Hampshire Music Service’s young performers have given an entire concert at the prestigious venue.