hosts last week was a group of young instrumentalists from England.

Thirty one members of the North Gloucestershire Schools Orchestra (NGSO), ranging in age from 11 to 18, are attending a one-week orchestral course in conjunction with the Menuhin Foundation of Bermuda.

Mrs. Suzanne Dunkerley explained that the cruise had been organised for the group's first day in Bermuda so that the two groups could get together and then concentrate on music for the rest of the week.

Last year, the Foundation took 35 of its student players to Cheltenham in England, where they lived with host families in the area. This year it's Bermuda's turn to return the hospitality, culminating with a Gala Concert by the combined youth orchestras, to be held at the Anglican Cathedral this coming Saturday.

Guest conductor will be Mr. Peter Stark, one of Britain's leading youth orchestra conductors. He gave up a promising career as a violinist in order to concentrate on conducting and has become renowned for his work with young musicians. He is a regular conductor for the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, besides being the principal conductor of the Oxford University Orchestra.

Miss Denise Ham, musical director of the NGSO, is making her third trip here, having conducted two previous Foundation courses in Bermuda. An examiner for the Associated Boards, and a freelancer who teaches conducting at the Royal Academy of Music, Miss Ham says she is impressed with the "very good standard of music for such a small island.

"I was especially pleased by the improvement in the strings. I think the workshops which the Foundation holds on Saturday mornings has really helped a lot in raising standards.'' Mr. Andrew Turner, who is one of the organisers of the NGSO trip is here with his wife and two children, both of whom play in the orchestra.

"We had a wonderful flight out here,'' he said. "Your new Governor was on the plane with us and he was talking to some of the children at Gatwick.

British Airways did us proud -- they not only welcomed the orchestra aboard but also advertised the concert for us, so we were very pleased about that!'' One of his daughters, 16-year-old Julia, who attends Tewkesbury School, plays the violin. Gazing out at the islands dotted around her, as the boat made its way through Paradise Lakes, she said, "It's so much more beautiful than we thought it would be. And now that we're on the sea, there are far fewer houses and everything looks so green.'' Mark Raper, 15, from Cleeve School, and also a violinist, was also admiring the scenery, but said he was just happy to be in a place where the weather was hot.

The youngest member of the visiting group is 11-year-old Morgan Schats, who has been playing the violin since she was three.

"This is my first trip overseas on my own. I think it's really nice. I like the water and the beaches best.'' On the home front, Tanya Weller and Douglas Jones were helping to entertain their visitors. Tanya, 18, who has been studying the cello for nine years, is embarking on child studies at Guelph University, but hopes to join the Bermuda Philharmonic Orchestra on her return.

Fourteen-year-old Douglas, a student of Saltus Grammar School, plays the clarinet and piano. He thinks that music will also probably remain just a hobby for him, but said he would also like to join the Philharmonic eventually.

Two young musicians who were especially thrilled by the reunion were 14-year-old Azelia Providence of Bermuda, and Emily Allison from England. Ever since they met in Cheltenham last year, the two have corresponded at least once a fortnight.

Azelia's mother, Mrs. Thelma Providence said: "She has been so excited about this visit. When the big day finally arrived, Azelia went to the airport with flowers to greet her friend.'' One of the perhaps unexpected bonuses of exchange visits is that the parents also tend to form friendships.

"We found we had a lot in common with Emily's parents and we have become very good friends. We even go to the same church. Now we're exchanging honey between Bermuda and England because Emily's grandfather is a bee keeper.'' Saturday's Gala Concert will consist of three major pieces: the Karelia Suite by Sibelius, the Hungarian Dances Nos.17-21 by Brahms, and Borodin's 2nd Symphony.

"It's quite an ambitious programme, but we're confident that they will do it justice,'' said Foundation teacher Mrs. Dunkerley.

Tickets for the concert, which commences at 7.30 p.m. are $10 for adults, $5 for children and seniors, and may be obtained from Opus 1 on Reid Street, at the door, or by calling Mrs. Dunkerley at 292-0754.

ALL ABOARD -- The North Gloucestershire Schools Orchestra, on an exchange visit from Britain and the Menuhin Foundation of Bermuda get together for a cruise at the start of their joint orchestral course.