TWO weeks of concerts which gave 1,000 Swindon children the chance to perform in front of hundreds of spectators at The Platform were brought to a close on Thursday evening.

Eight concerts, in a series known as Make a Noise, were held across the past fortnight at the popular music venue in Faringdon Road.

At each of the concerts more than 100 three to five-year-olds were granted the chance to sing and dance in front of 500 to 750 parents as a part of an early years music programme.

The programme is devised by Swindon Music Service and Friends of Swindon Young Musicians, both of which are keen to develop the confidence of young children in the town.

Bob Barrett, chairman for Friends of Swindon Young Musicians, said: “Swindon Music Service teaches the young people music.

“This is the only music service in the country that does this for people of that age. We do it to build their confidence and improve their social skills too.

“It is about giving them a music background and giving them confidence. Over the two-week period 1,000 children have been exposed to this opportunity.”

Forty-eight primary and pre-schools across Swindon accepted the invitation to get involved with the concerts and allow their pupils the time to be taught by the professionals at Swindon Music Service.

This is the third year the Make a Noise concerts have been put on at the Platform. A selection of four to five schools were chosen to perform on each of the concert nights, allowing pupils to mix with others their own age at different schools.

“It does build their confidence and allow them to create friendships they wouldn’t have had before,” said Bob.

“It’s huge for them to stand in front of so many people and either sing or dance at that age. It can be inspirational for them in the future.”

Swindon Young Musicians offers opportunities for children, young people and adults to join together to make music. Its origins go back over 50 years, but in that time its purpose has remained the same, namely to bring young people together in a social setting while enjoying music-making.

Most groups perform in end of term concerts, with some being involved to play at additional events such as festivals and competitions as well as at community based concerts and activities.

Swindon Young Musicians is run under the auspices of the Swindon Music Service with a dedicated team of experienced staff leading many different groups for children and young adults up to the age of 23.

The next event in the diary for the music service is on July 3 at the Oasis, where primary schools will be invited to perform at a concert including school choirs.