EUROPE'S first professional majority black and minority ethnic orchestra is coming to Southampton to work with school children in the city.

Youngsters from Bevois Town Primary St John’s Primary and Shirley Warren Primary will learn a newly commissioned arrangement of a classical symphony.

Jointly organised by Southampton Music Hub, Turner Sims and the Chineke! orchestra, and ending with a performance by the orchestra at Turner Sims on November 23, the series will give youngsters the chance to work with the professional musicians as well as learn a piece by acomplished 18th century composer Joseph Boulogne.

The scheme aims to give the students inspiration and confidence during their formative years, with the hope of increasing the numbers of black and minority ethnic students studying music in higher education.

Kevin Appleby, Concert Hall Manager at Turner Sims said: "I’m thrilled that as part of Chineke!’s first visit to Turner Sims, we can bring some of the orchestra’s highly regarded learning and participation work to Southampton schools, providing children with inspiring encounters with world-class musicians. The project builds on the work we have done over a number of years, together with Southampton Music Hub and the national music charity Orchestras Live, in profiling orchestral music across the city. We’re grateful to Arts Council England for their support of Chineke!’s work which has enabled the project to happen".

Nia Collins, Interim Hub Manager for Southampton Music Hub added: "We're delighted to give pupils from Southampton the experience of not only listening to, but performing alongside, some of the best BME musicians in the world. Southampton is an incredibly diverse place, and in recognition of the contribution BME musicians make to our city, we are delighted to subsidise music lessons for young BME musicians taking part in the project, to support them as they continue making music. Video from the day will go out to schools, alongside pieces of music, meaning that every child in the city will be able to play along with, and celebrate, the contribution of BME composers and musicians to classical music.

Chineke! orchestra was founded by double bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE.