To engage with young people (aged 15 – 20) from some of the most disadvantaged areas in South London who have an interest in music, the Orchestra is piloting a project this season called “The Band” which currently has around 30 participants. The young adults come from very diverse backgrounds, both culturally and musically, and will regularly meet and rehearse to combine ideas and create new musical works to perform at the Royal Festival Hall. They will work with experienced animateurs as well as London Philharmonic Orchestra musicians to provide support and musical guidance throughout the project. The band will write, rehearse and perform their own music under the direction of some of London’s most talented creative leaders. This pilot group will have classical, pop/rock, Indian, gospel, street, soul and jazz influences and will play a really diverse range of instruments. To ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation, none of the students will be asked to pay anything to take part. As the Orchestra does not receive public funding for this or for any of its education projects, we ask for your support to help us make this programme possible this season.