MAKING music is fun for the youngsters who belong to the ESO Youth Orchestras.

The three orchestras - children's, intermediate and youth - now cater for nearly 200 young musicians from around the area.

At weekend workshops, they all have the chance to work with professionals from the English Symphony Orchestra, who are keen to nurture their skill and enjoyment of making music.

In the coming season, the ESO will be offering orchestral courses to young musicians from beginners to advanced level, with concert performances in Malvern.

"It's vitally important that organisations like the ESO encourage and enthuse young musicians in this way," said artistic director William Boughton.

The ESO Youth Orchestra, formed in 1994, caters for young people aged from 16 to 20, who have reached Grade VII and upwards.

It has given concerts in Malvern, Monmouth, Worcester and Gloucester, with young soloists Daniel Hope, Charles Owen and Alexander Shelley.

The Children's Orchestra, for seven to 12-year-olds who are Grade I to III, was formed in 1998 and now has more than 50 members.

It takes the loneliness out of learning an instrument by allowing beginners to practise together over an intensive weekend, with breaks for games, quizzes and outdoor activities.

New this year is the ESO Percussion Ensemble, with percussion workshops and a chance to play in a dynamic ensemble, under the leadership of Kathy Newell.

The ensemble will run alongside the Children's Orchestra and will play in some of the same works during weekends in November, March and June. The Intermediate Orchestra was formed in 1999, for 11 to 15-year-olds, Grade IV to VI.

It gives the younger players something to aspire to and helps young musicians begin to tackle a more difficult repertoire and develop orchestral technique.

"The creativity and development of each student is the responsibility of us all and without these kinds of experiences youngsters may never be able to reach their true potential," said Mr Boughton.

In the coming year, the Intermediate Orchestra will spend weekend workshops in February and July, working towards a final concert at Malvern Theatres on July 8, featuring gifted young Malvern violinist Alan Uren.

The concert programme will include the ballet from Debussy's Petite Suite, Britten's Gloriana Suite and the finale from Beethoven's Symphony No 5 in C Minor.

Another project introduced in April this year was Side by Side, in which students and professionals work together intensively on a programme for performance. Every student sits next to a professional musician, experiencing their playing and attitude to their work.

The first Side by Side was so successful that most of the places for next Easter have already been filled, so anyone interested in taking part should contact the ESO as soon as possible.

It is open to Youth Orchestra players willing to audition and work with the ESO on a new work from Alastair Grieg, Sibelius' Violin Concerto (soloist Michael Bochmann) and Rachmaninov's Second Symphony. The course ends with a performance at Malvern Theatres.

Mr Boughton said: "The ethos of each orchestra is 'making music is fun' even though it's hard work and total dedication is required to gain full benefit from the courses."

He said it gave him enormous personal satisfaction to watch youngsters develop through the three orchestras.

For further information about any of the courses, contact the ESO at the Old Hop Store, Three Counties Showground, or phone 01684 560696.