Teacher pride over musicians heading to youth proms

The Music for Youth Proms is held annually at the Royal Albert Hall in London

School pupils from South Yorkshire are set to be the youngest performers at an event showcasing youth musicians at the Royal Albert Hall.

Silkstone Common Junior & Infant School in Barnsley and Balby Central Primary Academy in Doncaster are the only two primary schools in the UK selected to take part in this year's prestigious Music for Youth Proms.

More than 1,000 children will take part on Monday and Tuesday, with the performances in London featuring a variety of ensembles, bands, and choirs.

Catherine Smith, music lead at Silkstone Common, said: "I want them to relish every moment - it's a huge achievement for a small village school in the sticks.

"I'll be bursting with pride when I get on the stage."

Music for Youth, a national youth music charity founded in 1970, said its goal was to "ensure that every young person in the UK can achieve their musical potential by performing the music they love".

Silkstone Common's string orchestra and Balby Central's choir were selected to perform in the capital after excelling at regional and national Music for Youth festivals.

Silkstone Common Junior & Infant School's string orchestra will be part of the vast ensemble

Ms Smith, who has been a Silkstone Common teacher for 23 years, said the school was determined to give pupils opportunities to perform despite having no budget for instruments.

"For me personally, if it hadn't been for music I wouldn't have achieved what I have in life.

"I only had six O-levels, one A-level and I scraped into music college."

She added: "Music has the power to give children not only a love of music but also a career."

Simon Tabner, head of Silkstone Common, said: "Music gives everyone an opportunity to succeed.

"We know the arts and music is not seen as a priority, the budget is not there, but we believe it should be a priority."

Matilda, a year 4 violinist, said she felt "so excited and nervous" when she was told she would be performing at the iconic venue.

"My heart will be pounding," she said.

Balby Central Primary Academy's choir has 41 members

Balby Central Primary Academy's choir is made up of 41 children aged between seven and 11.

Emma Cooke, who has been head of the school for 11 years, said she was determined to encourage children to "enjoy singing" after taking on the role.

"We take them every year on a residential trip to London and we always walk around the outside of the Royal Albert Hall, but we've never been in.

"To be able to take the children inside is incredible, we are so proud."

She added: "It's a great way for children of different ages to come together, share their love of different music and work as a team."

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