The impressive progress made by the Menuhin Foundation will be confirmed this weekend when senior students will tackle the first movement of Haydn's London Symphony at their annual concert in the Anglican Cathedral.

And the full range of the Foundation's activities will become apparent as a total of eight orchestras will step into the limelight. These will range from elementary students, who only began their studies in September, through to the junior and senior orchestra.

Teacher-in-charge Miss Allison Johnstone says: "It's good for the younger ones to see the older students perform. It gives them very good motivation and they can see what to aim for.'' The Foundation, now in its 17th year of existence, was spearheaded by world-famous violinist Sir Yehudi Menuhin after he appeared at the first Bermuda Festival. It provides free tuition in the violin, viola and cello throughout the Island's primary schools and some secondary schools.

Miss Johnstone believes that "the Menuhin Foundation plays a valuable role in introducing the children of Bermuda to the world of music and, in particular, string instrument playing.'' This year the concert will be divided into two halves, with students of the schools programme displaying their talents in the first half.

Miss Carolyn Burr will direct senior students in the London Symphony. "We are very grateful to Miss Ruth Thomas, a trustee of the Foundation, who has agreed to introduce the different orchestras throughout the evening,'' says Miss Johnstone. The junior and senior orchestras are formed from students who attend Saturday morning music workshops where additional instruction is given in aural, theory, scale and orchestra playing.

Proceeds from the concert will go to the Activity Fund which is used for the workshops.

The full roster of orchestras taking part are Southampton Glebe School, Harrington Sound School, West End School, Gilbert Institute and Port Royal Schools, Bermuda High School for Girls upper primary string group, Saltus Grammar School senior string group, the Menuhin Foundation Junior Orchestra and the Menuhin Foundation Senior Orchestra.

Other teachers assisting with the concert include Miss Sarah Bridgland, Miss Kerry Haslam, Mrs. Mary Brown, Mr. Daniel Leetch and Mrs. Suzanne Dunkerley.

Miss Johnstone, who is a specialist in the cello and is a popular ensemble and solo performer here, says that the Foundation is gratified that two of their students have recently begun music degree courses abroad.

Violinist Christopher Darrell is studying music at the University of Boston and Brian Swan, who plays the double bass, is at Mount Allison University in Canada.

The concert takes place at the Anglican Cathedral this Saturday at 7.30 p.m.

Tickets at $10 ($5 for students and senior citizens) may be obtained from Menuhin Foundation teachers or at the door.

SERENADE FOR STRINGS -- Katherine Dunleavy (left), Qian Dickinson and Melanie Eddy in rehearsal.

STUDY IN CONCENTRATION -- Joanna Jackson (left) and Trevor Hedges (right) rehearsing for the Meunhin Foundation concert to be held at the Anglican Cathedral on Saturday evening.