A CELEBRATION of the life of Britten in his centenary year is being held at the University of Herts’ Weston Auditorium tomorrow night (Friday).

Hertfordshire Schools’ Symphony Orchestra are putting on a concert of modern composers under conductor Rufus Frowde. To mark Britten’s centenary, the orchestra will celebrate his life through Arvo Part’s Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten, and also showcase some of Malcolm Arnold’s best symphonic writing with his Symphony No. 6.

The orchestra, aged 13 to 18, recently led the Hertfordshire’s Schools Gala at the Royal Albert Hall.

On the following night, Saturday, April 13, Hertfordshire County Youth Orchestra return to the Weston Auditorium with Walton’s Symphony No.1, which is regarded as a landmark of British composition.

The orchestra, conducted by Peter Stark, are aged 13 to 21, and have gained a reputation as one of the best youth orchestras in the country

Tickets for both concerts are £18 with concessions £12 and children £6, available from the UHArts Box Office on 01707 281127 or online at www.herts.ac.uk/artsandgalleries