A CHANCE to experience life as a professional musician is being offered to young people from the Malvern Hills area.

The English Symphony Orchestra is offering talented young musicians of Grade VIII standard or above the chance to work with its professionals in the Side by Side youth orchestra project.

William Boughton, ESO artistic director and Side by Side conductor, said: "The philosophy behind this project is to raise the students' expectations of themselves and to bring them into contact with the way a professional orchestra works.

"Every student will sit next to a professional musician, experience their technique and attitude towards their work."

The four-day course is now in its fifth year and will run from Wednesday to Saturday, October 27 to 30, at Malvern Wells Youth Hostel.

Students will take part in rehearsals for their different instruments during the first two days.

Day three involves morning and afternoon rehearsals with the ESO and the course concludes with an evening performance in Malvern Theatres.

Brahms' Variations on a Theme of Hadyn, Strauss' Violin Concerto in D minor and Sibelius' Symphony No 2 in D will all feature in the programme.

Evening activities will be arranged for students and this year the course includes a junk percussion workshop.

The course costs £280, but a donation by an ESO supporter means four students will receive a bursary and can attend for £180. Entry is by audition only. For an application form, call 01684 560696.