AstraZeneca is enabling hundreds of local youngsters to develop and demonstrate their musical talents under professional guidance. The company is sponsoring the Hall Education Project in three local schools and is supporting Macclesfield Borough Council's Youth Arts Showcase, taking place in the Evans Hall, Wilmslow Leisure Centre, from 27 to 30 November.

AstraZeneca has provided £5,000 to fund music workshops at Dean Row Junior School and Lacey Green Primary School, both in Wilmslow, and Ashley Primary School near Altrincham, under the artistic leadership of Hugh Nankivell and musicians from the Hall Orchestra.

Throughout November, youngsters aged between 10 and 11 years have created their own piece of work inspired by the Russian ballet "The Three-Cornered Hat" by Manuel de Falla. Hall Orchestra musicians Pam Ferriman and Sue Voysey have led three two-hour sessions in each school and music teachers have developed the work during regular lessons. Claire Pring and colleagues from Cheshire Dance Workshop have helped the youngsters to develop the dance element.

The youngsters will come together to perform their work on Tuesday 27 November at the MBC's Youth Arts Showcase.

This event, supported with a further £5,000 from AstraZeneca, has been organised by Macclesfield Borough Council's (MBC) Leisure Services department. It aims to give young people the opportunity of working together and performing on a large stage with professional technical support. It features four evenings of music and dance with associated photographic and sculpture exhibitions, produced by nearly 1,000 local schoolchildren, members of community groups and art organisations.

Mark Wheelton of MBC Leisure Services said: "Projects like these demand considerable resources and so it is vital that the council works with companies such as AstraZeneca, who are willing to sponsor activities in the community. Support from AstraZeneca, such as sponsorship of the Hall Education Project and support of the Youth Arts Showcase, allows us to continue to make high quality arts events accessible to local people".

Chris Petty, Vice President of AstraZeneca said: "We are delighted to support projects such as these which help to stimulate and promote the understanding of the arts amongst youngsters in our local community".

In February 2002, pupils who have taken part in this year's Hall Education Project will attend a concert at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester as part of its 'Hall for Youth' concert programme.

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