YOUNG musicians of the future are set to thrill audiences next month at two of Birmingham’s iconic venues - Symphony Hall and the Town Hall.

First you can open your ears to the music of the universe as arguably the world’s greatest orchestra of teenagers - The National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, embarks on a voyage back through a century of space discovery.

The journey begins with Gravitational Waves by German composer Iris ter Schiphorst. This is music for the here and now, for the beginning of a new era in astronomy. Fasten your seat belts and prepare for a thrilling ride to new musical frontiers as the original sound of the gravitational wave echoes through the orchestra and individual players gradually become one united force.

This will be followed by two of classical music’s must-hear pieces - Strauss’s Also Sprach Zarathustra, with its glorious, spine-tingling opening fanfare made famous by Stanley Kubrik’s film 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Holst’s The Planets completed by Colin Matthews’ Pluto: The Renewer.

This music never fails to stir the emotions with its huge melodies and luscious harmonies and in the hands of these young musicians, it will fizz with an explosive, barely containable energy.

The countdown is on and if you want to join these talented young musicians for a fearless, totally teenage cosmic adventure then the date for your diary is Friday, August 5 at Symphony Hall (7.30pm).

Then later in August it’s the National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain.

They will be at the Town Hall performing Verdi’s Overture to The Force of Destiny, Curtis’ Romanza, Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite, Gershwin arr. Rose Overture to Girl Crazy, Badelt arr. Ricketts Pirates of the Caribbean and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.

Featuring the best young musical talent the UK has to offer, the National Children’s Orchestras of Great Britain cannot wait to perform at Birmingham’s Town Hall.

It all promises to be an evening of technically brilliant, youthfully exuberant music, as the NCO’s Under 12 Orchestra provides a fresh approach to concert repertoire.

This hundred-strong orchestra, with no player older than 12, is sure to reignite your passion for classical music and leave you confident of its future in their hands!

This performance is on August 20 at 6pm.