THE special relationship between Bolton and Paderborn in Germany is being celebrated through music in special concerts.

The town's musical youth have travelled to the German city for the 30th anniversary of the International Youth Philharmonic concerts.

The 49 students from Bolton Music Service and 66 students from Paderborn Music School met for the first time last Wednesday, where they were busy rehearsing at Bolton School.

This week they performed together for the first time as the International Youth Orchestra at The Royal Northern College of Music.

And tomorrow they will play at the Paderhalle in Paderborn.

Carolyn Baxendale, head of Bolton Music Service, said: "The International Youth Philharmonic remains one of the strongest links and the oldest initiatives between the twin towns of Paderborn and Bolton, and one which sees the young people of the youth orchestras come together in a very special collaboration.

"It promises to create a marvellous evening of music-making, celebrating the musical collaboration and friendships between the twinned towns and their young people

"This year, we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the International Youth Philharmonic project and Bolton Music Service is proud to see this event going from strength to strength.

"In this biennial IYP event, the young people of both Paderborn and Bolton become amazing ambassadors for their towns and for town twinning.

"The fact that this year sees the 30th anniversary of IYP is testament to the strength of the relationship between the towns, and the ongoing drive and passion of both the music services (Bolton and Paderborn).

"The opportunities for musical and cultural exchange that the young people have in this collaborative project are outstanding. The concert programme includes pieces by Walton, Ravel and Mahler — the same pieces that were performed 30 years ago at the very first International Youth Philharmonic concerts in 1986.

"They experience high quality music-making, delivered by a team of highly skilled professional tutors, and they do this alongside other like-minded young people from another country. The players come together to form a truly inspirational orchestra, performing a demanding and hugely exciting programme.

"This event also allows the young people to experience the culture and language of other countries, and build amazing friendships, as well as providing this incredible musical education.

"The musical and social outcomes of this joint orchestra are outstanding."