The concerto is part of a Classic FM Hall of Fame concert from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra which starts the SICS 16-concert subscription series and is presented by Mark Forrest – details in Listings.

The education programme, Wired for Sound, with its raft of initiatives, including pre-concert workshops in the Memorial Hall before each subscription concert and a two-day Nicola Benedetti residency, is believed to be the only one of its kind in the country.

The Benedetti residency, November 9-10, involving the 20-year-old violinist visiting schools and Sheffield Music Academy as well as giving two highly attractive concerts, has attracted national media attention with Classical Music magazine offering to run an article on it and the BBC considering a documentary.

The 16 pre-concert workshops, at which participants develop their own ideas from a piece of music in that night's concert, form the central plank of the programme.

They are led by enthusiastic educationalist Elizabeth Roberts, a professional cellist in groups ranging from string quartets to punk and hip hop bands, who is settling back in her home city after a bout of globe-trotting.

Says Liz, a former High Storrs School pupil: "By exploring a piece of music from the concert and creating something new from it, students are able to to approach classical music from their own experience and find their own way to break down the artificial barriers between different types of music.

"We have already run a couple of pilot workshops and the reaction from the participants has been amazing.

"They were all hugely enthusiastic and said that they would definitely come to another concert."

The workshops are aimed at 11 to 18-year-olds, initially with participants from Firth Park Community Arts College and High Storrs School with Liz, at present, busily canvassing in schools and keen to hear from other schools and teenagers across the city who would like to be involved.

She can be reached on 07976 177525.

The cost to participants is £3.50 which includes the 45-minute workshop, a ticket for the concert and interval refreshments. Free entry is offered to those identified by their school in financial hardship.

The workshops are sponsored by Sheffield IT success story The Wired Workplace.

Managing director Bob Cushing says: "Business sponsorship tends to gravitate towards sport and we believe the arts also have an important role to play in the cultural identity and confidence of the community.
"Classical music is under-supported and particularly needs to attract a younger audience."