A reception in honour of an Oxford orchestra was held by the Prime Minister's wife, Cherie Blair, at 10 Downing Street.
The Oxford Philomusica Orchestra, formed in August 1998, was recognised by Mrs Blair for becoming one of the UK's leading orchestras.
She appealed for continued support for the orchestra so it could become an established ambassador for classical music right across the country.
Mrs Blair then asked the orchestra to perform Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.
The orchestra grew out of musical director Marios Papadopoulos's vision of creating a professional symphony orchestra for the city.
Mrs Blair invited representatives to No 10 after hearing of its work.
Philip Newman, chairman of the Oxford Philomusica Trust, thanked Mrs Blair and said: "We aim to extend the orchestra's roots to reach beyond Oxford and touch other parts of its region, presently poorly served in terms of classical music."
The orchestra's education and community work in 2002 includes projects at Wood Farm, the John Radcliffe Hospital and community centres in Oxford.
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