I'd like to thank The Argus for the support you gave Sussex Symphony Orchestra's debut concert at Brighton Dome in aid of Save the Children on Saturday.

With a full house of 1,650 we raised more than £20,000 for the charity.

Sir Charles Mackerras, Joe McGann and Sally Taylor gave their services free and the wonderful co-operation from music departments of four Sussex schools - Blatchington Mill, Brighton College, Christ's Hospital and Dorothy Stringer - meant that 136 local young singers and musicians took the stage at the Dome to perform a selection of Handel's most glorious music.

Classical music is flourishing in Sussex at all levels. Only musicians who live or work in the county are invited to join the Sussex Symphony Orchestra and, judging by the standards achieved by the young players in our schools, it is evident there are many new instrumentalists ready to step into senior ranks.

Thanks also to the people of Sussex and those who travelled from further away for making the concert a sell-out for the benefit of Save the Children.

-John Shaw, Sussex Symphony Orchestra, Brighton