THE Petersfield Area Schools’ String Orchestra (PASSO) will hold an all-day play day next weekend.

The musical marvel will take place at The Studio at The Petersfield School next Saturday, June 18, and will culminate in a summer concert at 4.30pm.

The orchestra, under leader Kate Taylor of Horndean Technology College, draws members from a dozen schools and colleges in the Petersfield and Meon Valley area and has had a successful season of concerts and cup-winning festival playing.

At last month’s Petersfield Spring Festival they were heard busking and fundraising in The Square.

Their play day will not only be a day of rehearsing but also of musical inspiration. At 1pm, concert pianist Warren Mailley-Smith will give a free lunchtime recital in The Studio, which will be open to the public.

Later, he will conduct a question-and-answer session for all budding musical performers. At present, this celebrity pianist is in the process of presenting a ground-breaking cycle of Chopin’s complete works for solo piano, from memory over 11 concerts at St John’s, Smith Square, and recently his latest recording was voted Classic FM Drive CD of the month.

PASSO will give their own free concert at 4.30pm in The Studio. Among the varied repertoire to be performed will be A Fizzy Pop Suite, written by local composer Andrew Richardson, who will offer coaching on the work and conduct it.

To find out more about the orchestra and how to join, call Peter Thompson on 01730 267341 or Bridget Hughes on 01730 894006.