An orchestra made up of Norfolk's best young musicians will be joined by past members for a celebratory concert

These teenagers are some of the most talented musicians in the county.

They have mastered the instruments of the orchestra and play together at several major concerts a year – including their summer concert on Sunday.

The Norfolk County Youth Orchestra is made up of around 60 youngsters from right across the county. It began back in 1959, and was relaunched in 2005 after a gap of about a decade.

'It's built up over the past 12 years to the group it is today, which is a fantastic and nationally recognised county youth orchestra,' said Juliet Rickard, director of the Norfolk County Youth Orchestra (NCYO).

This spring they invited back past members to join them for a celebratory concert. Not all former members of the orchestra go on to musical careers, but some become very well known, including probably the most famous former member of all - Myleene Klass.

'For some it is life changing, for some it is a life hobby, and for some it will be a happy memory which they will want to pass on to their children, and grandchildren,' said Juliet.

Katie Schutte, 15, of Wicklewood, near Wymondham, began playing the violin when she was seven and is now leader of the orchestra. 'I haven't yet decided what I will do when I leave school - but music will always be a big part of my life,' she said.

'Perhaps the best part of NCYO for me is the people - there's nothing like grinning at your desk partner when you both finally nail a hard passage or solo! It's moments like this in NCYO that will stay with me forever, and I hope that this sense of community can be experienced by musicians across the county.'

Murray Chapman is a percussionist in the orchestra and said: 'As well as a great opportunity to meet other musicians from around Norfolk, it's also inspired me to discover and explore new branches of music and repertoire than I had not encountered before.' He enjoys the teamwork and discipline of rehearsals and adds: 'Performing with internationally-renowned soloists is, of course, a great privilege!'

Many of the orchestra members began learning their instruments at school, but some instrumentalists are particularly difficult to recruit. 'We have got a kind of endangered group going on at the moment!' says Juliet. 'We are desperately lacking people playing double bass, French horn, viola, bassoon and oboe.'

And so the county council will lend these instruments for free to children keen to learn, including mini double basses for younger children.

The orchestra is run by the Norfolk Music Service and funded by Norfolk Music Hub with money from the Arts Council. 'We are very proud that it's 80pc state school pupils,' says Juliet.

There is also a friends group which raises around £12,000 a year to help students from low income households take part in orchestra events, including occasional tours abroad.

'Britain was innovative in setting up youth orchestras after the Second World War with generous government funding in the 1960s and 1970s,' says Juliet. 'Alongside professional musicians, countless other people will have had some experience of playing in youth orchestras or bands. In Norfolk we are determined that this will continue, and funds are being sought from a variety of sources to make sure that any child who wants to be a part of this great tradition will be fully supported.'

Kirsty Visick, of the Friends of the Norfolk County Youth Orchestra, whose son was a member of the NCYO, says: 'The young people on the whole do not go on to study music professionally but they develop their talent and often play at university and then join amateur orchestras later on in their lives. Our county is blessed with superb amateur music making and is the richer for it.'

The Norfolk County Youth Orchestra summer concert is at Open, in Norwich, on Sunday, July 16, at 7.30pm. Tickets available on the door.