Next month, thousands of Bradford schoolchildren will be playing a range of musical instruments, from cello to trumpet, at a rousing stadium gig.

For many of the youngsters, it will be the first time they have performed in public. Not only will they get to play in an orchestra and sing, they will also be sharing a stage with some of the country’s top professional musicians.

The music-and-dance spectacular, at Bradford City Football Club, is part of a project giving more than 6,000 schoolchildren districtwide access to orchestral music.

Education Bradford’s music and arts service has joined forces with the London-based Southbank Sinfonia, an orchestral academy nurturing young musicians, for the two-year programme giving children chance to play an instrument or sing in a choir.

Part of the Government’s Wider Opportunities scheme, it celebrates Bradford’s musical traditions and cultural diversity and develops coaching and performing for Bradford Youth Orchestra.

Nearly 100 primary schools are taking part in the Mega Music Day concert, at Valley Parade on May 25. Hosted by children’s entertainer Barney Harwood, it will be later shown on Bradford’s Big Screen.

“We’ve never done anything this big before – it will showcase the talent of thousands of primary-age children who have had access to music-making on a scale never before seen in the district,” says Tony Johnson, head of Education Bradford’s music and arts service.

“These are Key Stage 2 children learning pieces of music and playing a range of instruments – brass, woodwind, guitars, percussion – and performing in public for the first time.”

Pupils in 82 per cent of Bradford primary schools now have access to a musical instrument. Tuition in everything from recorder to ukulele, violin to steel pans, takes place in school time.

For youngsters with little or no access to orchestral music, or to private music lessons, it’s a golden opportunity. Since the project was piloted last year, 62 per cent of children have continued to play, exceding Government expectations.

“The key is progression – giving them chance to take it further,” says Tony. “We believe every child should have the opportunity to learn an instrument, but it’s not just about that; it’s about developing confidence, hearing live performance and enjoying the camaraderie of performing together.”

For those children who want to continue playing their chosen instrument, Bradford Youth Orchestra is seen as a pinnacle of progression. The youth orchestra has been working with Southbank Sinfonia on a performance for the Mega Music Day, giving youngsters chance to enjoy the excitement and energy of a live professional orchestra.

Founded in 2002, Southbank Sinfonia is an orchestra of young professionals, now established as Britain’s leading orchestral academy. Every year, a new orchestra of 32 young music graduates, each supported by a bursary, is selected for a programme of public performance and professional development.

The aim is to develop adaptable, confident players who then ‘pass on the baton’ for music to young people and the next generation of musicians.

Founder Simon Over, who will be conducting the orchestra at Valley Parade, says the young, vibrant musicians of the Southbank Sinfonia are inspiring role models for schoolchildren.

“They’re in their early 20s, they look cool and speak the same language,” says Simon. “They pass on their skills and passion for music to younger people. When children sit side by side with experienced musicians they learn a lot in the process.

“For some children, orchestral music might feel exclusive or ‘posh’, so our aim is to demystify it. It doesn’t have to be unapproachable and presented in a formal concert setting.

“Audiences enjoy the informality and accessibility of the way we present music, the huge repertoire and the energy of our playing.”

He adds: “The children will find that a lot of the music is familiar, from film scores and adverts. Taking part in the performance themselves will make it all the more meaningful.”

Simon says music opportunities in schools are improving, thanks to initiatives in places like Bradford. “It’s really good when we get local advisors who can make it work and have that vision,” he says.

* For more information, visit southbanksinfonia.co.uk.