Having been given an 'Outstanding Performance’ award at the National Festival of Music for Youth back in July, these young percussionists have now been invited to perform in the Schools Prom, an invitation that is extended to only a small handful of young musicians each year. 

Berkshire Maestros has a history of its groups performing well on these occasions.  Indeed, this will be this particular group’s third performance at this prestigious event.  Comprising students from Reading School, Emmbrook Comprehensive, St Crispin’s (Wokingham), Abingdon School (Oxfordshire), Little Heath School, Theale Green Community School, St Bartholomew’s School (West Berkshire), St Bernard’s Convent School (Slough), Cox Green School (Windsor), Desborough School (Maidenhead) and Farnborough Sixth Form College, Berkshire Youth Percussion & Marimba Ensemble rehearses once a week at Reading Music Centre in Tilehurst under the direction of Maestros’ Head of Percussion, Andy Leask .   

Andy said: "These young percussion players are all outstanding musicians.  They work very hard in rehearsals and are so dedicated that they really deserve to be given the chance to play at the Royal Albert Hall.” 

Andy is deserving of a special mention as he has now steered the Berkshire Youth Percussion & Marimba Ensemble to four ‘Outstanding Performance’ awards, making a total of seven of the afore mentioned accolades and seven appearances at the Schools Prom for Andy personally because he previously directed the London Percussion ensemble who won three awards and were subsequently invited to perform at the Albert Hall between 1985 and 1992. 

Tickets for the Schools Proms are available from the Royal Albert Hall Box Office on 020 7589 8212 or http://tickets.royalalberthall.com/