A BAND of talented musicians are celebrating after securing a grant of £5,000 from the Arts Council of England.

The award, under the A4E Express Scheme, will enable Newton Youth Orchestra to develop a junior music ensemble, provide a series of master classes and organise an intensive week-long music school.

Shelagh Preston, chair of the orchestra's management committee, said: "This is national recognition for the talent and hard work of young people in Newton." Councillor Keith Deakin, chairman of St Helens Council's Leisure Services Committee who acted as a referee for the orchestra's application, commented: "I must pay tribute to the volunteers on the management committee who have helped the orchestra go from strength to strength."

The orchestra meets every Saturday during school term time in St John's Church, Earlestown between 10am and 12 noon and all young people between the ages of 8 and 21 who can read music are welcome to go along. The fee is 50p per week and rehearsals take place in small groups as well as the full orchestra. For further details contact Alison Gorman on 01925 222995.

AND to celebrate the award, the orchestra will hold a midsummer concert in All Saints Church, Crow Lane, Newton, on Thursday, June 19.

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