BRITAIN’S biggest orchestra comes to Liverpool this January, but its members are slightly smaller than you may be expecting. The National Youth Orchestra, made up of 160 young musicians from across the UK, will be conducted by Vasily Petrenko on January 7.

It’s been nine years since the NYO performed in the city, but the concert follows its highly acclaimed sell-out performance with Petrenko at the BBC Proms.

The orchestra features several Merseyside young people, including 17-year-old horn player Becky Weldon, from St. Helens.

She says: “I am excited to be performing Šwith the NYOŠinŠLiverpool asŠI think it is a great Šcity and am proud to be a part of it.

“I love being Šin the NYO, as it gives me the opportunity to perform Šin amazing venues, such as the Philharmonic Hall, and am really looking Šforward to playing there with the inspirational Vasily Petrenko.”

The programme, described as an “enthusiastic and energetic approach to dramatic repertoire”, features Rachmaninov’s first masterpiece The Rock, Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5.

The NYO’s mission is to encourage young people to become excited and inspired by classical music, so all seats in the house are available to under-25s for £5.

Double bass player Andy Vickers, 17, from Wirral, says: “My teacher plays bass in the RLPO with Petrenko, and it is very exciting for me to be in his shoes.

“I saw Petrenko conduct Shostakovich 5 in Liverpool on my 16th birthday, as part of a school Russian culture trip. It is a special piece for me, even more so to be able to play it in my home town, where I eventually want to work professionally.”

Flutist Luke O’Toole, 16, from Ormskirk, adds: “Being in the NYO is such an amazing Šexperience and ŠplayingŠat the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall near my home town will just be the icing on the cake.”

THE National Youth Orchestra plays the Philharmonic Hall on January 7. Tickets £8-£20 (£5 for under-25s), 0151 709 3789.