HUNDREDS of youngsters from across east Suffolk are preparing to make themselves heard loud and strong at a special event next weekend.

Sing Out 2010 has been organised by the Saxmundham and District Rotary Club to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

And it will give children from schools across the area the opportunity to take part in a special one-off concert at Snape Maltings.

About 200 youngsters are taking part – 190 singers and a few musicians. They will be performing new works, some of them produced by youngsters themselves.

They will be supported by the Britten-Pears Chamber Choir.

The evening will also include the UK premiere performance of two specially-commissioned works written by renowned composers Joseph Phibbs and Jana Rowland.

The concert, which will be narrated by author and broadcaster Libby Purves, will also feature student compositions and original songs from local primary schools generated through workshops and mentoring classes.

At the weekend all the performers came together for a full rehearsal at Aldeburgh church to put the final touches to their production.

John James, from the Rotary Club, said: “We have been preparing for this since 2007. We wanted to do something that involves children and something that they don’t normally have a chance to do.

“Some of the work has been written by the young people. Some has been written by young people with special needs and that is very good.”

Tickets for Saturday evening’s performance are still available from the Aldeburgh Foundation box office.

The concert, which will be conducted by Peter Nardone, director of music at Chelmsford Cathedral, starts at 7.15pm.

For tickets call 01728 687110 or visit www.singout2010.org.uk