Tickets are on sale for the Manx Youth Orchestra’s Christmas Festival Concert.

The event, one of the musical highlights of Christmas, takes place in the Villa Marina Royal Hall on Saturday 12th December at 7.30pm in the presence of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Adam Wood.

The orchestra is run by the Department of Education and Children’s Music Service.

Maggie Richardson, who heads the service, said the concert is a showcase for the talents of more than 200 young performers who meet on Saturdays to rehearse.

‘The evening will feature all nine groups that meet under the umbrella of the orchestra, including wind bands, string orchestras, the guitar ensemble, the swing band and the senior orchestra,’ Maggie said.

‘Our activities encourage players to achieve their best at whatever level they have reached. Audience members comment on how great it is to be able to hear the progression players make through the different groups, from our junior bands and orchestras through to the advanced ensembles.

‘Our conductors choose an attractive repertoire that engages and challenges our players and, most importantly, is enjoyable.

‘The Christmas concert creates wonderful memories for our musicians and to be able to play in such a lovely venue is always special.’

Maggie said the programme for the evening would be ‘an uplifting mixture of classic favourites and popular music, old and new’.

Classical music and carols will feature alongside Pharrell Williams and Taylor Swift. ‘There really is plenty to get the toes tapping,’ said Maggie.

Tickets are ?10, ?9 and ?8 and are available from the Villa Marina and Gaiety Theatre ticket hotline on 01624 600555, the Manx Welcome Centre at the Sea Terminal and via www.villagaiety.com. 

The concert, which is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Manx Youth Orchestra (FMYO) and, this year, Specsavers, has raised thousands of pounds for local charities.

This year’s proceeds will be shared between the FMYO and ManxSPCA.

Photo - The Manx Youth Orchestra performing at St Michielskerk during a tour of Belgium this summer.