The Manx Youth Orchestra (MYO) is staging special performances for primary school pupils as part of Island of Culture 2014.
 
Pupils aged five to 11 will pack the Villa Marina for two free concerts on Tuesday 18th November.
 
The 45-minute concerts will include a lively mix of light classical music, pop music and themes to films like Harry Potter and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
 
As the date is close to Remembrance Sunday, the programme will include two songs from World War One that the audience can join in with.
 
The Senior MYO, the Manx Youth Swing Band and the Guitar Ensemble will perform a wide variety of styles and there will be a ‘mystery item’ performed by Music Service staff that will require audience participation.
 
The MYO is run by the Music Service, part of the Department of Education and Children (DEC), which offers all children the chance to learn an instrument during their time at school and aims to inspire a lifelong passion for music.
 
The orchestra meets on Saturdays at St Ninian’s High School. Membership is open to any student who has reached grade one on their instrument.
 
Around 250 young musicians belong to the MYO and each plays in groups that cater for their level of experience and ability on their instrument.
 
Maggie Richardson, Head of Music Service, is a member of the DEC working group that has been ensuring pupils get the most from the Isle of Man Arts Council’s year of cultural celebrations.
 
She said: ‘Primary pupils were lucky enough to get an introduction to the work of an orchestra when the Arts Council brought the Philharmonia Orchestra’s MusicLab to the Island in October.
 
‘They may never have heard an orchestra play live so this is a great follow-up and a wonderful opportunity to introduce our youngest children to the delights of hearing all these instruments come together in a large venue.
 
‘The Arts Council – which has provided all sorts of opportunities to schools and youth groups during Island of Culture 2014 – has generously supported us in staging the concerts.’
 
Maggie added ‘Members of the public will be able to hear all our MYO groups perform on December 6th when we will present our popular annual Christmas Festival Concert at the Villa Marina.’