UP-and-coming musicians with ambitions to lead orchestras have had a masterclass in conducting from top conductor Peter Stark.

The event, which took place at Radley College on Sunday, was part of this year’s Abingdon Music Festival.

Eight young musicians were hand-picked by the conductor, who was a consultant on hit BBC2 show Maestro, and given one-on-one masterclasses before leading an ensemble of local musicians in a concert of two Haydn symphonies at the end of the day.

Those taking part included Oxford University music undergraduate and former Cheney School pupil Julian Bacharach, along with current students from Radley College, d’Overbroeck’s College and former pupils from Our Lady’s Convent School in Abingdon and the School of St Helen and St Katharine, also in Abingdon.

Mr Bacharach, 18, whose lives in East Oxford, said: “It was a huge amount of fun.

“Peter Stark has been so helpful and it has given me the confidence I need to get my own orchestra together.”

Mr Stark has conducted the London Symphony Orchestra and the English Chamber Orchestra. He is professor of conducting at the Royal College of Music in London, and the Levenhulme professor of conducting to the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

It is the first time such a masterclass has been part of the festival. Last year’s event included a concerto class.

Valerie Dennis, who is on the committee for Abingdon Music Festival, said: “I think it has been very good and has taught the young people an awful lot.

“They are all musicians in their own right who want to learn how to go into conducting and there is no better teacher really.”