classical musicians have teamed up to encourage action on what they are calling a crisis in music education.

Evelyn Glennie, Sir James Galway, Michael Kamen and Julian Lloyd Webber said they owed a lot to the education they received at school.

They met Education Secretary Charles Clarke to raise concerns after a national survey revealed 40 per cent of children who had not learnt to play a musical instrument would like the chance to do so.

The musicians aim to raise the profile of classical music among young people.

Ms Glennie, an internationally renowned deaf percussionist, is trying to establish a Music Research Centre and aims to encourage children to listen different genres of music.

When she performs at the Tees Barrage on Sunday as part of the Spirit of the Celts, a charity concert in aid of the Butterwick Hospice, 100 children will be allowed in for free.

To claim the offer, the scheme Kids For Free must be quoted when booking and the child must be accompanied by an adult, who will pay a discounted rate of £5.

Other tickets are £15 or £12 concessions and can be booked by calling the box office on (01642) 777 778.