Community endeavour is what Watford Symphony Orchestra is all about, so it’s very pleasing to hear that secretary, Vicky Vandy has been awarded the Lady Hilary Groves Prize for outstanding community achievement.

The award is from Making Music, the national organisation promoting amateur music-making in the UK. It recognised Vicky’s work on the WSO’s New Year's Day concert in the Colosseum, which raised funds for music education in Hartsbourne, Nascot Wood, Yorke Mead and many other local schools. The orchestra subsequently visited all schools supporting the event to introduce pupils to the musical instruments.

Vicky’s prize will be presented at the WSO’s next concert by the Vice-Chair of Making Music alongside the Chairman of Watford Borough Council.

The concert features a performance of Dvorak’s Cello Concerto, played by Hannah Innes, a pupil of the Purcell School of Music.

The orchestra also has strong links with the area’s music schools and gives performance opportunities to young local soloists.

The concert is on Saturday, November 20 at 7.45pm at Clarendon Muse, Watford Boys’ Grammar School, Rickmansworth Road. Details: 01923 244196