Five hundred young musicians from schools across North Lanarkshire enjoyed the experience of a lifetime on Monday (12 March) when they had the chance to practice and perform with the world-renowned Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland.

The musicians – all from various music groups from schools across North Lanarkshire – were taking part in Fanfare to Youth, a fantastic day of musical workshops that culminated in an evening concert at Motherwell Concert Hall.

The concert featured the North Lanarkshire Schools' Preparatory Band (conducted by Jim Smith), which consists mainly of children from primary five to second year, and the Band of HM Royal Marines (conducted by Captain Tony Smallwood).

This was an unique opportunity for the North Lanarkshire musicians to play and perform with such well-known musicians, renowned throughout the world for the quality of their music, visual splendour, precision drill and – of course – their distinctive white helmets.

The Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland is unique among Royal Marine Bands – not only because it is based in Scotland, but also as it is the only Royal Marines Band stationed north of London.

The band travels extensively throughout Scotland, Northern Ireland and the north of England, performing at ceremonial events ranging from the Edinburgh Military Tattoo to Freedom Parades and ship visits. In recent years, the band has performed in Holland, Gibraltar, Switzerland, Cyprus, Australia and America, and annually at the Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall.

In addition to music making, Royal Marines musicians are trained for a specific military role and have distinguished themselves on many military operations, most recently Operation Telic in 2003.

All members of the band play at least two instruments and are required to perform all styles of music including wind band, marching band, orchestral and dance band engagements, making the Royal Marines musician one of the most versatile and adept in the military music world.

And it is these skills that were the focus of the Fanfare to Youth workshops and concert.

Captain Tony Smallwood, Director of Music of the Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland, said: "We’re delighted to be taking part in these workshops as it’s a fantastic opportunity for us to share our knowledge and experience with the budding musical talents of North Lanarkshire. It also demonstrates the diverse opportunities that a career in the Royal Navy and Royal Marines can offer today."

Michael O'Neill, North Lanarkshire Council's Director of Education, added: "North Lanarkshire has one of the most progressive music instruction programmes in the country and I am absolutely delighted that the Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland has taken the time to contribute to that programme.

"Our extensive music groups programme provides our young people with an opportunity to perform challenging repertoire and to participate in a wide range of exciting musical activities like Fanfare to Youth and it is easy to see the joy they get out of an experience like this.

"And they only get out what they put in as they put in a tremendous amount of practice and rehearsals to keep them sounding at their best – in fact, almost 800 young musicians from all North Lanarkshire schools come together in Coatbridge High every Friday for a practice session.

"It is a very great honour for the council to welcome the Band of HM Royal Marines and I'm sure it's an experience our young musicians will remember for the rest of their lives."

Councillor Charlie Gray, Convener of North Lanarkshire Council's Education Committee, concluded: "I never fail to be impressed by the talents of our pupils and this concert is the perfect example of this, with our musicians holding their own against some of the best in the world.

"There is no doubt in my mind that North Lanarkshire is certainly a leading light in music instruction, particularly when we look at St Ambrose High – our music comprehensive – which provides enhanced facilities and staffing to provide pupils with more opportunities to perform music and learn about different aspects of the music industry.

"These workshops and concert have truly been a Fanfare to Youth, my congratulations go to everyone involved and I hope many more of these – and similar – events can be planned in the future."