A MUSIC education charity is celebrating its fundraising success after winning funding for school children to perform at the Royal Albert Hall.

The Berkshire Maestros, who provide singing lessons across Reading, Bracknell, Wokingham, and Newbury will take 1,800 local school children to perform in the gala concert

The primary and secondary school children will perform with the Berkshire Youth Symphony Orchestra and Berkshire County Youth Choirs.

Performers will include young people with educational needs who have been working with musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to create their own music.

Vanessa Harbutt, marketing and fundraising officer for Berkshire Maestros, said: “We have been delighted that our funders have seen the educational benefits that this experience will provide for our young musicians.

“Nearly every organisation we approached has granted us funds and this support of our students is invaluable.”

Organisations supporting the funding include the Greenham Trust, Payne-Gallwey Charitable Trust, Louis Baylis Charitable Trust and Newbury Town Council.

Louise McGahon, head of voice at Berkshire Maestros and project manager of the event, said: “We are so grateful to all the funders for enabling us to achieve our targets.

“This ensures that not only can we give these children a fantastic experience making music but also that we will be able to secure a legacy for the future that will extend the opportunities to other special schools in Berkshire.”

The gala concert, which is called ‘Music Leads the Way!’ will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday, March 11.

For more information, visit: https://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/events/2019/berkshire-maestros-music-leads-the-way/.