AN East Sussex orchestra will be marking its 35th anniversary by entertaining audiences across Europe – and closer to home.

East Sussex Youth Orchestra performs at the De La Warr Pavilion, in Bexhill, in a concert to raise funds for Hastings Lifeboat Station, before heading off on tour to Germany, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

The orchestra, the flagship ensemble of the East Sussex Music Service, has been boosted by the presentation of £8,000 raised by the Friends of the Youth Orchestra through fund-raising activities over the past year.

Richard Sigsworth, acting head of the East Sussex Music Service, said: “The orchestra brings together talented teenagers from across the county and has earned a deservedly high reputation for the energy and enthusiasm with which it delivers its classical repertoire.

“The orchestra wouldn’t be able to entertain so many people were it not for the efforts of the Friends, who have worked tirelessly again this year to raise much-needed funds.

“The concert in Bexhill is an ideal opportunity both for existing classical music fans and people who would like to sample something new to enjoy a thoroughly entertaining night and to help the orchestra celebrate its 35th birthday.”

The orchestra performs at the De La Warr Pavilion on Saturday, July 26 at 7.30pm, for a concert being staged in conjunction with lifeboat charity the RNLI.

Tickets, priced £10 for adults, £2 for under-16s and £6 for other concessions, are available from the Pavilion box office by calling 01424 229111, emailing boxoffice@dlwp.com or online at www.dlwp.com

Later in the summer, the orchestra will perform in Leipzig at the Festsaal at Bad Schmiedeberg, at Bratislava’s prestigious Slovak Radio Hakk, at Krommeriz Chateau, a historic castle in the eastern provinces of the Czech Republic.

The programme includes Richard Strauss’s Horn Concerto No 1 and Gustav Mahler’s great Symphony No 1.