TWELVE young musicians from Bolton will be seeking Royal approval when they perform for the Duchess of Kent tomorrow.
The Duchess, Katharine Kent, will help choose three of them to receive bursaries from her charity Future Talent, which could set them on the road to a successful music career.
The Duchess, who worked as a primary school music teacher for 12 years, set up the charity in a bid to make sure talented youngsters were better recognised.
She chose only two towns - Bolton and Oldham - to take part in the charity's pilot Future Champions competition, launched in conjunction with Manchester's famous Hallé symphony orchestra in September 2007.
Bolton and Oldham were chosen because of their well-established music services and good working relationships with the Hallé.
The 12 Bolton finalists, aged between seven and 18, beat off competition from 43 other entrants who attend Bolton Music Centre, off Junction Road, Deane, or receive lessons through the music service, at auditions last month.
Their applications had included a summary of their achievements, their aspirations for the future and details of how the bursary would benefit their musical development.
Bolton's finalists, playing instruments including the trumpet, clarinet and oboe, will each spend 20 minutes performing two pieces and taking part in an interview with a panel including the Duchess, Bolton Music Service head Jane Hampson and members of the Hallé at the music centre.
The winners, to be announced this afternoon, will receive either Gold, Silver or Bronze bursaries worth £3,000, £2,000 and £1,000 respectively, which could be spent on courses, tours, instruments or specialist lessons.
Oldham's competition takes place tomorrow. (THURS) The Duchess, who is married to Edward, the Duke of Kent and a cousin of the Queen, said: "This project is incredibly exciting and I am thrilled that so many young musicians have applied.
"It must prove that what Future Talent is doing is really important."
Cllr Linda Thomas, Bolton Council's executive member for children's services, said: "This is a rare and exciting chance for gifted young musicians or vocalists to take advantage of an excellent opportunity to enhance their skills.
"We are so thrilled that Bolton was hand-selected by the Duchess of Kent to take part and it is testament to the hard work and professionalism of Bolton Music Service."
Mark Elder CBE, the President of Future Talent, will present winners with a medal and bursary at a Hallé concert at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall later this year.
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