IT is difficult to write objectively about subjects involving youngsters and music, especially, if, like me, music has been an integral part of your life.

The difficulty is how to impart praise without being patronising; to judge performances without, subconsciously, making too many allowances for age, inexperience, the magnitude of the occasion, etc.

Well, on Tuesday I sat in the splendid surroundings of a packed Albert Halls, in the midst of adoring parents and grandparents, and shared their pride and enjoyment as legions of children of all ages, size, colours and creeds trooped on to the stage to sing or play a bewildering selection of musical -- and, in some cases, non-musical instruments.

It was all terrific, hugely entertaining stuff and a tribute to the patience, dedication and tutorial skills of the staff of the Music Centre, who continue to do such a marvellous job in encouraging and nurturing these youngsters.

Contribution

We had just about everything on this, the opening night of a set of four at the same venue, from training wind ensembles, various percussion ensembles, a choir, a training brass band, junior string ensembles, a double reed ensemble, and finally the Bolton Youth Jazz Orchestra, who brought the house down with their closing opus, the theme music from 'Shaft.'

It would be unfair to single out any one contribution as the entire programme was first class but, because of my own particular preference, I took more than a passing interest in the percussionists, tutor Gary Watton's ability to get a tune out of a plastic bucket and the excellent rhythmic patterns his students produced on all-manner of 'instruments', including a wooden drawer.

I was especially taken by the smallest member of one percussion ensemble, very possibly the smallest chap on view, who whacked a giant bass drum with precision and panache. Wonderful stuff. I loved it. Fred Shawcross