The new Youth String Camerata gave a triumphant first concert in the beautiful surroundings of Southwell Minster on a sunny summer's evening.

The YSC is made up of children aged between 7 and 13, who were joined in their first ever concert by the international solo cellist and former BBC Young Musician of the Year, Guy Johnston.

The programme opened with Handel's "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" and the Gavotte from Grieg's Holberg Suite.

Performing without a conductor right from the start, these talented children played with style and grace, and with a sense of ensemble which would have put many adult orchestras to shame.

The Youth String Camerata was then joined by Guy Johnston for a sparkling performance of Haydn's C Major Cello Concerto.

Again playing entirely without a conductor, they provided a sensitive and stylish accompaniment to Guy Johnston's flawless and utterly musical performance.

The outer movements went at a brisk pace, but never once did the children of the YSC waiver and the result was a very satisfying performance which clearly delighted the packed audience.

Later in the programme, Guy Johnston held the audience spell-bound with his performance of Bach's 1st Suite, in G Major, for unaccompanied cello.

This was delicate and refined playing, which also revealed the astonishing resonance of Guy's cello – the open C string was particularly ravishing in the Minster's acoustic!

Earlier in the day and on the previous evening, Guy Johnston had given a series of masterclasses for local cellists. These lucky young people joined the YSC in their concert.

A group of cellists from the Nottingham Youth Orchestra played a lively arrangement of 'God's love made Visible' from Dave Brubeck's 'La Fiesta de la Poseda'.

Then, in the second half of the programme, the group Cellestia, made up of students of one of the YSC's founders Sarah Huson, accompanied Guy Johnston in Max Bruch's "Kol Nidrei".

Originally for solo cello and full orchestra, this version was arranged for cello choir accompanying the solo cello.

In such a lush, low-voiced texture it would have been easy for the band to swamp the soloist, but Cellestia avoided this magnificently with their warm, stylish playing and sensitive accompaniment of Guy Johnston's fabulously lyrical playing.

This was a hugely impressive first concert outing for the Youth String Camerata.

The YSC's founders and musical directors, Sarah Huson and the viola teacher, Sian Evans, have done a first class job with their young starlets.

The children responded magnificently to the occasion, displayed impressive technical assurance and stage presence, and were clearly enjoying themselves. If you get a chance to hear them, don't miss it!

Mark Hacking