FIFTEEN years ago classical pianist and conductor Marios Papadopoulos had a vision for an orchestra that would serve the community.

By 2002 the Oxford Philomusica was appointed the first orchestra in residence at the University of Oxford.

Now the orchestra plays up to 60 concerts a year and still finds time to run its education and community programme in schools, hospitals and community centres.

It is this work that has prompted the awarding of Oxford City Council’s Special Certificate of Honour, which will be presented tonight to the founder Mr Papadopoulos.

The presentation is being held at the start of the orchestra’s Youth Concerto Competition Final at the Sheldonian Theatre at 7.30pm.

The 58-year-old said: “I am overwhelmed and humbled, I am honoured.

“The Philomusica is now nearly 15 years of age and it has been really on the forefront of classical music in the community.

“The community concerts that we do invariably sell out and we reach out to the community, to hospitals, schools, the universities, so it is wonderful to feel that the work my colleagues and I have been doing the last 15 years has been recognised.”

Mr Papadopoulos, who lives in London but is looking to move to Oxfordshire, added: “We started small, we didn’t have much of an audience. But after a couple of very difficult years people come to realise that there was something there.

“We built the audiences and have grown.”

The Lord Mayor of Oxford, councillor Mohammed Abbasi, will present the award.

Tickets for tonight’s concert are still available and range from £10 to £30. Call the Oxford Philomusica box office on 01865 980 980.