OLDHAM youth orchestra is to perform at the prestigious Music for Youth Prom at the Royal Albert Hall in London soon.

Oldham, the Music Centre's Youth Orchestra will strike up at the famous venue on Wednesday, November 13.

The recognition came as a result of their outstanding performance in Birmingham at the National Festival of Music for Youth in July.

The 80-strong ensemble will be taking to the stage as part of the finale of the concert, giving a performance that will include an original work by the orchestra’s former conductor and retired senior teacher Peter Martin as well as the thrilling conclusion of Respighi’s, "Pines of Rome".

The orchestra will then accompany a 700-strong choir comprised of other young musicians from all over the UK in a new piece that will provide the grand finale to the concert.

Council leader and cabinet member for economy and enterprise, Cllr Sean Fielding, said: “What an achievement for the dedicated young people from the Oldham Youth Orchestra – I’m so pleased and proud of them and the fact that our Music Service has been chosen to represent Oldham on the national stage.

“This is the first time in almost 20 years that an orchestra from the North West has qualified to take part in the concert and clearly shows just how much talent we have in our borough.

“I’m sure the orchestra is over the moon and I wish them the best of luck when they perform in front of an audience of more than 5,000 people – I know that they’ve been practising extremely hard to perfect their performance.

“I’d like to thank the team at the Music Centre for their continued commitment to training and mentoring the talented musicians.”