BBC Young Musician 2018 wows Youth Proms

Lauren Zhang joined other stars of the future for an event billed the 'biggest Youth Proms ever'

Posted by Julian Owen | August 01, 2018 | Events

• #lauren-zhang
• #services-for-education
• #ciaran-o-donnell
• #bbc-young-musician-2018
• #youth-proms
• #symphony-hall
• #birmingham

Birmingham’s Lauren Zhang - crowned BBC Young Musician 2018 - returned to the stage of her triumph to play with Birmingham schoolchildren in what is believed to be the UK’s largest ever Youth Proms.

More than 3,000 young musicians and singers, aged 8-18, took to the stage for five nights, accompanied by pianist Lauren for Monday 9 July's opening performance.

The Youth Proms, organised by Services For Education’s Music Service, is an annual celebration event providing youngsters with the opportunity to showcase their talent to a live audience on a world-class stage.

Audiences were treated to a variety of performances including a 1,500 strong choir, orchestras, choirs, steel and brass bands, jazz groups, guitar ensembles, percussion and world groups, collectively using more than 1,500 instruments.

16 year old Lauren performed Chopin's Black Key Étude and the jazz-infused Toccatina, by Kapustin.

Ciaran O’Donnell, Head of Music Service at Services For Education, said: “It is fantastic to have Lauren joining us for our Youth Proms. These concerts, now over 30 years old, demonstrate the immense talent of young people in our city. It is our privilege to showcase that over five nights in the iconic Symphony Hall.

“As one of the largest providers of music education to Birmingham schoolchildren, we recognise the importance of introducing young people to the world of music at an early stage, and how it can unite the diverse communities of the city.”

Each year the Music Service delivers subsidised music services to 38,000 schoolchildren in 384 Birmingham schools. It also provides 28,000 musical instruments free of charge.