AN ORCHESTRA of young musicians performed to the mayors of both Lewisham and Greenwich at a packed Blackheath church on Saturday.

The Constella Orchestra was founded in Lewisham and aims to give talented students a leg up in the musical world through professional experience.

There were 38 musicians between 18 to 26 years playing at St Margaret’s Church to celebrate the group’s first birthday.

They performed iconic French works by composers Maurice Ravel and Francis Poulenc to an audience of around 120 with special guests Mayor of Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock and Mayor of Greenwich Cllr David Grant.

Co-founder Leo Geyer, who lives in Lee, said: "It was a celebratory concert for our first birthday and we are really pleased."

The 20-year-old added: "It was great. There was a real buzz because it was the beginning of our season and we had both Lewisham and Greenwich’s mayors. They did a speech to open the season."

To find out how to get involved with the orchestra visit theconstellaorchestra.co.uk