GAZETTE & HERALD: CORSHAM has been awarded a £19,000 grant to encourage young musicians not to give up their instruments.

The project called Don't Stop the Music hopes to persuade pupils that it is not un-cool to play an instrument at secondary school.

Youth Music, who awarded the grant, hope the four-month scheme will begin later in the year.

Speaking about the project Jan Ford, of Orchestras Live said part of the initiative is to introduce young people to the range of instruments that make up an orchestra and to look to professional musicians as role models.

"The aim is to encourage young people not to give up their musical instruments when they go to secondary school because apparently it's not cool," she said.

"Local professional musicians will address the perceived stigma attached to instrumental playing at this age.

"It will pilot new ways of working with young people, using the skills and resources of professional orchestral musicians to make music more relevant

in a rural area where people can be isolated from cultural experiences and activities."

The project will target years six and seven students aged between 11 and 14, both players and non-players, in the secondary and feeder primary schools in Corsham.

Mrs Ford said: "Working alongside these musicians, young people will be encouraged to continue with their musical studies and first-timers will be encouraged to start creating music."