Birmingham’s young musicians head to Royal Albert Hall

It is the first time since 2014 that Birmingham Schools’ Symphony Orchestra - run by Services For Education’s Music Service - has performed at the Youth Proms and follows other successful performances at the national event by Birmingham school children, most recently in 2024 when the Music Services’ Raga and Tala Ensemble played the Royal Albert Hall stage.

The annual Music for Youth Proms – organised by Birmingham-based Music for Youth - is the culmination of a year-long programme of concerts and performances held throughout the country. More than 1,500 young musicians from across the UK take part in a spectacular concert like no other with Birmingham Schools’ Symphony Orchestra (BSSO) being showcased alongside some of the country’s brightest young jazz bands, chamber groups, bands and singer songwriters.

The Orchestra will be conducted by Daniele Rosina of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, supported by Assistant Conductor William Cheung, performing Mars from The Planets by Gustav Holst and Mambo from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein.

In addition, BSSO will be the anchor orchestra for the night accompanying two massed pieces for choir including 1,000 young singers taking part in the world premiere of Aileen Sweeney's Causeway, written especially for the Youth Proms in partnership with BBC Ten Pieces, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and the Royal Albert Hall. BBC Ten Pieces is an educational initiative for primary and secondary schools that uses a collection of classical music to inspire creativity.

Birmingham Schools’ Symphony Orchestra is one of more than 100 music ensembles run by award-winning charity Services For Education which delivers the city’s Music Service which each week teaches music to nearly 32,000 children.

Richard Mabbott, Head of the Music Service at Services For Education, said he was thrilled that Birmingham Schools’ Symphony Orchestra had been chosen to perform at the Youth Proms.

“This is a great opportunity for Birmingham’s young musicians to perform at both a prestigious event and in a world-famous concert hall,” said Richard.

“The fact they are also the anchor orchestra will enable Birmingham’s young musicians to support and perform alongside hundreds of young people from throughout the UK. It will be a night they never forget.

“Birmingham can be proud of its schools and their enthusiasm for music which plays such an important part in so many young people’s lives,” he said.

“Young people really benefit from participating in music and the arts which play such an important part in their development - both academically and in developing personal and life-skills,” said Richard.