YOUNG musicians in the region were last night tuning up for a new opportunity.

A youth orchestra for players under the age of 19 and of grade six or equivalent standard is being launched in Darlington, for musicians from North Yorkshire, South Durham and the Tees Valley.

At Elm Ridge Church, in Carmel Road South, keen musicians were auditioning for coveted places in the orchestra, which will rehearse on Sunday afternoons from January. Auditions for strings, woodwind, French horn, trumpets and kettle drums will be held in December.

Conductors will be changed each term, and the first conductor at the helm is Chris Griffiths, French horn player for the Northern Sinfonia.

Ensemble playing and workshop opportunities will also be on offer.

For more details about auditions, call orchestra chairman Jacqui Inglis on (01325) 467814.