Tickets are now on sale for a series of Christmas concerts which will showcase some of the best young musicians in Stoke-on-Trent.
Hundreds of young people will take to the stage at the Victoria Hall over three nights for the City Music Service’s Christmas Swingalong.
Featuring five to eight year olds from the City Songbirds, the concerts will take place on Monday, December 10, Tuesday, December 11 and Wednesday, December 12.
City Songbirds is an initiative which was established 10 years ago to give opportunities for youngsters to learn songs and musical skills in a fun environment, and to perform together at public concerts.
There are now 26 schools involved in the programme with more than 650 Songbirds.
The Songbirds will share the stage at the concerts with seven to 18 year olds in the City Youth Training Choir and City Youth Choir on Monday, The City Young String Orchestra on Tuesday and the City Youth Wind Orchestra on the final night.
The Staff Rock Band will also be performing.
Councillor Alan Dutton, cabinet member for education and a former singer with pop group Hedgehoppers Anonymous, said: “The Songbirds have gone from strength to strength over the years.
“We want to give youngsters their first experience in music making and, for some, this will be their first time singing on stage.
“Being on stage helps boost their self-esteem and they have lots of fun in the process.
"I had my first big stage experience at 11 years of age in the Scout Show Screamline at the Theatre Royal and went on to have hits in most parts of the world.
“Maybe some of these young people will get the same experience of fame as I did from that first taste of the limelight.”
Tickets for the concerts cost £6.50 for adults, £5 for children and £18 for a family ticket for two adults and two children.
They are available from the Regent Theatre’s box office, or by calling 08448 717649.
Notes to the editor: Rehearsals are open to media for interviews and photographs between 10.15am and 11.30am on the morning of each concert, or any of the evening concerts.