It has been a busy year for The City Academy, Hackney’s senior brass ensemble, Young Brasscals. After performing at the TUC Conference in Brighton in September, they have already performed at the Royal Albert Hall once this month for the Music for Youth Primary Proms, and are set to return to perform at the South Kensington concert hall again on Wednesday.

Young Brasscals were one of 1000s of school and youth groups from across the country who entered the Music For Youth regional competition; just 30 made it through the heats to perform at the prestigious festival at the Albert Hall later this month. Music For Youth is a national music education charity that has provided performance and audience opportunities to young musicians across the country for more than 40 years.

Elizabeth Jones, Subject Leader for Music at The City Academy, Hackney, who has led the music department since the academy opened in 2009 and supported the development of the Young Brasscals, had this to say about their success: “Having the academy’s band perform at the Music For Youth Festival is a very proud moment for me. This a very prestigious event – my dad took part in these national concerts years ago and now it’s our turn.”

Rose Yemelyanova, who is currently studying for her A levels in music, maths and physics in The City Academy,

Hackney Sixth Form, has just received the academy's Founders' Day prize for music – in recognition of her contribution to the academy, and has also gained a place on the Junior Guildhall Saturday School. She attributes her musical success to the support of the academy, saying: "The academy offers students so many amazing opportunities to get involved in music and explore their talents. I don’t think you’d get chances like this anywhere else."

Rose, who plays saxophone in the brass ensemble, said of the performance: "Playing at the Royal Albert Hall for the first time was exhilarating but scary too. There are a lot of eyes on you as you're performing in the round, and it's so loud. I can't wait to play there again for the Music for Youth Festival."

Following its fantastic first set of GCSE results in 2014 – placing it as the top school in London for student progress the academy’s newly-established Sixth Form is accepting applications for September 2016. “Our commitment to creative opportunities is central to our vision, part of ‘the City Experience’, from day one, right through to A level.

From free instrumental lessons in year 8, to performing for the Prime Minister”, says Principal, Mark Emmerson.

Young Brasscal’s next performance at The Royal Albert Hall coincides with The City Academy, Hackney’s Sixth

Form Open Evening on Wednesday 25 November. For more information, please visit the academy’s website:

www.thecityacademy.org.