THE highly successful concert given by Bolton Symphony Orchestra (BSO) last Saturday evening demonstrated very clearly a point which I emphasised in my introduction to the concert.

The many young people there were visibly entranced, even happily overwhelmed, by what was for many of them their first exposure to the wonderful sound of a full symphony orchestra. Sadly, the only experience many young, and not a few older, people have to music is through an electronic earpiece, or through an amplifier.

When they are given the chance to hear magnificent, well-loved music like themes from Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Jurassic Park played live by a full orchestra, the effect is dramatic, creating for them a sudden awareness of the true majesty of sound and lived experience that can never be conveyed by recordings. The looks on the young people's faces spoke volumes and they went away enriched and with their hearts singing. There is no substitute for live music played by trained, skilled musicians.

I do hope that parents will encourage young people to come along to future concerts, and come themselves.

Great credit is due to Chris Wormald, our guest conductor for his dedication and sheer work, employing his many talents to produce, along with the gifted players, an evening to remember. He was the first of a series of six guest conductors this season. Our next concert features Tom Newell conducting music to commemorate Shakespeare’s 400th Anniversary on Saturday, May 5 at Victoria Hall at 7.30pm. full details available on http://www.boltonsymphony.org.uk/.

We invite young people under 19 to come to our concerts for free. It’s not a bad offer for a family evening out – for the price of one or two adult tickets, as many children as wish can attend free. The town is truly fortunate to have such a wealth of musical talent, achieving a peak in the BSO; one the finest non-professional orchestras anywhere.

Robert Aston

Chairman, Bolton Symphony Orchestra