Members of a borough schools orchestra dating back to the 1970s are to reunite for a special concert at Dudley Town Hall in May.

The concert by Dudley Schools’ Symphony Orchestra will raise money for the Friends of Dudley Performing Arts to help young people learn how to play orchestral musical instruments. It takes place on Sunday May 14th from 3pm at the St James’s Road venue, with tickets now on sale.

The orchestra will perform music from hit films such as Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, Star Wars and Moana, along with pieces from musicals and renditions from the classics. Alex Jackson, booker for Dudley Borough Halls, said:

"The orchestra was created in the mid-1970s and quickly gained a reputation as one of the finest in the region, performing all over the world.

"We’re delighted to be welcoming around 70 alumni from the orchestra for this special reunion concert for a very good cause, to help young people follow in their footsteps."

Joanna Brett, co-organiser of the concert, added: "We are thrilled to be back together and playing as part of the resurrected Dudley Schools Symphony Orchestra.

"This ensemble was a huge part of our childhoods, with many participants taking part in musical exchanges all over the world. A large portion of the orchestra have moved out of the borough and across the country - even the world - so to return to the birthplace of the orchestra feels very apt.

"We have a fantastic repertoire that is suitable for all generations, so we know there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

"Many of the players will have their children in the audience. We hope that this reunion concert will instil a love of orchestral playing in our children enabling them to gain as much pleasure from music as we had - and still do to this day."

Tickets cost £12, with primary school children able to get in for free. To book, visit boroughhalls.co.uk or call the box office on 01384 812 812.