BUDDING musicians from Plymouth were set to join forces with international stars today as they embarked on a groundbreaking project.

The South West Camerata chamber orchestra, which includes a number of talented city children, was due to perform a unique version of Vivaldi's Four Seasons in Totnes, giving the 18th-century piece an ambitious 21st-century makeover.

Having been reworked by respected music producer Jaz Coleman, a founding member of influential post-punk band Killing Joke, the young orchestra will be joined on stage by a team of digital musicians.

They include beat-boxer Shlomo, an MP3 scratcher DJ and artists playing digital instruments including the Apple iPhone – a far cry from Vivaldi's violin-led classical music.

Gabriel Prokofiev, the grandson of Russian composer Sergei, has also taken an active role in the project, which marks the launch of the Government's Tune In campaign.

More than 50 members of the young orchestra will be playing alongside the digital musicians just two hours after meeting, putting all parties to the test.

Orchestra leader Fiona Mclean said: "We're delighted to be involved and excited about performing alongside a range of very obscure instruments.

"This is a perfect example of one of the exciting challenges we like to put to our players."

Tune In is being launched by the Department for Children, Schools and Families as part of its Year of Music, aimed at giving youngsters more musical opportunities.