A NEW youth orchestra is being launched to give budding musicians the chance to play together and be coached by professional musicians.

Three music teachers – Kath Small, James Pearson and Hannah Sheldon – have come together to establish the Knutsford Youth Orchestra.

The orchestra will begin rehearsals in September and is open to children of all ages and musical abilities from Grade one to eight.

The music will be arranged so that musicians of all standards can participate and children who join will have the chance to perform regularly in concerts throughout the year.

Kath Small, one of the musicians behind the orchestra, said: “We wanted to give kids the opportunity to play in a group together and bring together children from different schools in the area.

“The orchestra will play all kinds of music, including classical music but also popular music, such as the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song. It will all be fun stuff and will include tunes the children will know.”

The leaders of the orchestra are passionate about giving every child the chance to get involved with music.

Kath added: “We all had lots of music growing up but there’s not as much available now. Music is a really great hobby to have and we want to make it accessible for all children.”

Rehearsals will take place on Tuesdays from 6pm until 7pm at Knutsford Methodist Centre, starting on Tuesday, September 9.