VIRTUOSO performances by musicians from a Chandler's Ford School struck a chord with organisers of a major Mediterranean music festival.

The Toynbee youngsters bowled over their Italian hosts with the high standard and variety of their playing.

In fact the Italians were so impressed they decided that in future years the international event would have a wider focus and become a full arts festival.

During the eight-day tour the youngsters, who were made up of instrumentalists, dramatists and singers, performed alongside musicians from many continents.

Their repertoire ranged from extracts from musicals to the works of Mozart. And the contrasting pieces even included Beatles songs.

The venues for the party - the only representatives from the United Kingdom at the Bensa International Music Festival - included local village festivals.

Teacher Jim Vaughan said: "The entertainment was always met with tremendous appreciation by the friendly and overwhelmingly hospitable Italians.

"In addition to the performances by groups from the USA, Canada, Russia, South Africa, Australia and Japan, we all took part in two parades. It was fantastic to march in this spectacle."

Toynbee's invitation to attend the event followed the visit to Hampshire last year of 100 Bensa musicians.

The Toynbee students raised much of the funding for their Italian tour but they were also supported by Eastleigh Council and Hampshire County Council.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.