YOUNG musicians from 50 Oxfordshire schools showed their playing skills at a special Baroque rock string day organised by Oxfordshire County Council’s music service.

The event, held on Tuesday, was set up in partnership with the Oxford Philomusica orchestra and involved 80 children, aged eight to 15, playing violins, violas, cellos and double basses.

All the children had gained music grades two to four.

They played pieces including Procol Harem’s A Whiter Shade of Pale and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at the Centre for Music in Bayswater Road, Barton.

A double bass player, a drummer and a violin and viola player from the orchestra worked with the pupils, aged 8 to 14, in groups to perform the pieces which they later played to their parents when they came to pick them up.

Liz Stock, from the county music service, said: “It was brilliant – it sounded absolutely amazing and the children absolutely loved it.

“It was the first time we have done it but it was a great opportunity for children to lean and play together.

“I think we will do it again, we might do it for wind instruments next time.”