One of the Cornwall Music Education Hub’s ensembles, the Cornwall Youth Orchestra, has performed to a capacity crowd at the Royal Albert Hall.

The 98 strong ensemble, made up of young people aged 11 to 21, was conducted by 16-year-old Angus Webster as it performed Prince Zal and the Simorgh, a musical epic by composer David Bruce, inspired by ancient Persian folklore. The orchestra was joined by 22 young violinists from primary schools in Cornwall as well as 35 young violinists from Northamptonshire and 16 students from City University who accompanied the orchestra on Iranian percussion.

The junior violinists were led by 13-year-old Caitlin Boulton, whose father, Tim Boulton, is the director of CYO. The tale of Prince Zal was narrated by four young actors from Cornwall.

The orchestra was one of just 19 youth groups from across the country who were invited by Music for Youth to take part in this annual showcase of top quality music making following outstanding performances at the MFY National Festival in Birmingham in July.

In addition to performing the Persian tale, the orchestra performed with singer Sam Ahira from Bedford and were invited to close the concert by performing the traditional Proms favourite, Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance, accompanied by hundreds of Union Jack waving children and a rousing chorus of Land of Hope and Glory from the audience, as well as a new Finale composed especially for the event by Music For Youth’s artist in residence, Joe Broughton. For this section, the orchestra performed alongside the Birmingham Conservatoire Folk Ensemble.

"I know I'm biased," said Tim Boulton, "but I do think the Cornish musicians communicate with a particularly natural and uplifting quality. They all seemed so at ease in this vast hall, exuding an infectious joyfulness and beauty - they were an enormous credit to Cornwall and to the many teachers, parents and schools who give so much to support young people's acting and music making."

The Cornwall Music Education Hub is led by Cornwall Learning of Cornwall Council and is funded by Arts Council England to support and promote high quality music education. Further details about Hubbub and the Cornwall Music Education Hub, can be found at www.cornwallmusiceducationhub.org.