AS it comes of age with a special anniversary, the Orchestra of the Swan is in the mood to celebrate young talent and the next generation.

The Orchestra, which is resident at Stratford ArtsHouse and is also the associate orchestra of Birmingham Town Hall, will present its 21st anniversary season by bringing together worldwide talents.

A spokesman said: "This includes the youngest ever BBC Young Musician winner Jennifer Pike and the world renowned cellist and conductor, Julian Lloyd Webber, who will be championing the undeniable talents of the next generation.

"The Orchestra of the Swan (OOTS) celebrates its 21st Anniversary with over forty performances throughout the Midlands, ranging from the jubilant phrases of Mozart to the dulcet, romantic tones of Dvorak."

The spokesman added: "Guest artists will include previous winners of the BBC Young Musicians of the Year contest, such as Laura van der Heijden, Jennifer Pike, Emma Johnson and Guy Johnston.

"Laura van der Heijden, BBC Young Musician of the Year 2012 and OOTS Associate Artist, opens the season with Haydn’s technically demanding Cello Concerto in D on 27th September. This will be followed by a second appearance in April performing Tchaikovsky’s ‘Rococo Variations’ conducted by Julian Lloyd Webber at the Town Hall, Birmingham."

Two further concerts "bring a touch of virtuosic imagination to spring at the Forum Theatre at Malvern".

The spokesman said: "These feature BBC Young Musician of the year 2000, cellist Guy Johnston playing Haydn’s Cello Concerto in D in February, followed by Emma Johnson performing Mozart’s sublime Clarinet Concerto in A in April directed by the rising young Hungarian conductor Máté Hámori.

"Lucia Caruso, the young Argentine-born pianist and composer, will join the programming in October to demonstrate her technical and emotional mastery of Mozart’s Piano Concerto No 13."

Last, but not least, the youngest ever BBC Young Musician winner and BBC Young Generation Artist Jennifer Pike, "will undoubtedly delight audiences with Mozart’s Violin Concerto No 3 throughout May 2017".

The spokesman said: "This simply spectacular violinist has taken the classical world by storm with her dazzling interpretative flair and exemplary technique.

"And it’s not just guest artists who join the orchestra for this special season. There are also guest conductors including Julian Lloyd Webber, swapping his bow for a baton, Máté Hámori and Jason Lai.

For full details of all 2016-2017 concerts at Stratford ArtsHouse, Birmingham Town Hall, Malvern Theatres, Cheltenham Town Hall, Huntingdon Hall and Number 8, Pershore, visit www.orchestraoftheswan.org