Orchestra United follows charismatic young conductor James Lowe as he holds auditions to find 75 aspiring musicians aged 11 to 18 to form a new youth orchestra under the auspices of the world famous Hallé Orchestra.

A rising star, Lowe is passionate about classical music and believes that we are losing a generation of gifted musicians and that classical music is the poorer for it.

Lowe went to a comprehensive school in a mining town near Nottingham and was saved by music at the age of 13 when he took up the viola and joined a youth orchestra; he fears he would not have got that chance today.

The orchestra includes 16-year-old Faz, a beat-boxer and violinist who is chosen to lead the second violin section.

Daniel - also 16 - who has had a troubled childhood involving drink, becomes part of the brass section, thanks to his secret love for the cornet.

North Korean refugee Yu Min, 18, now living in Bolton, enchants the judges with her skill on the accordion but, as this is not an orchestral instrument, can they find a place for her?

Luke, who is 10, and the youngest member, plays the cello, which practically dwarfs him.

Also joining the orchestra are 14-year-old Zoya, whose drum playing prompts criticism from some members of the local Pakistani community, but her father allows her to join anyway; sisters Tess, 14, and Alex, 12, who both play the harp; and finally Emma, 14, an exceptional violin player, who has been appointed leader of the orchestra - a very challenging task for such a young girl.