Our young musicians are top class

Two groups of Bolton's young musicians performed brilliantly. Bolton Junior Youth Choir, with their director of music, Susan Wilding, conducting 60 singers, aged 7-13 years, from schools across the borough, and delighted the audience with three songs. They brought the house down!

Smithills School's Senior Brass Band, with their musical director, Chris Wormald, not only performed two stunning pieces as part of the programme, they launched the concert with, "Fanfare for the Common Man".

All of our young musicians are superb ambassadors for our borough. To appear as part of the Youth Proms, they had to be the best in their type of performance nationally. What an accolade to have two groups selected to perform in the Royal Albert Hall - Bolton was the only Authority in the country to have two performing groups.

The atmosphere was tremendous.

To have the opportunity to perform in such a venue, to be in the same dressing room back stage as used by Elgar, Wagner, Sir Thomas Beecham, Frank Sinatra and other figures from the history of music, is in itself inspirational. Equally, to share in an experience with the best musicians across the country will support our young people in reaching even greater heights.

The young musicians have to demonstrate enormous commitment to manage their rehearsal and performance time with other pressures of school and homework. It requires discipline and dedication. None of this, of course, would be possible without the inspiration of our teachers in Bolton. I never cease to be humbled by the excellence they achieve.

Recognition also has to be given to the parents, carers and supporters who get the musicians from place to place, locally, nationally and even internationally.

As director of children's services, I am proud to be part of the Bolton community and feel privileged to be able to experience first hand the talents and excellence of our young people.

Margaret Blenkinsop

Director of Children's Services