IT'S an odd question to ask a 14-year-old, but it has the room in stitches. "Are you a tuba?" queries Jim Lang, with a mock frown. "Or are you a horn? Are you having a crisis of identity?"

The poor horn player in question is blushing to the roots of his hair, as Jim, conductor of the wind band at the joint schools' Christmas concert, resumes instructions.

"Okay, off we go - TUBAS ONLY, please," he says, with another pretend scowl.

The brass section of the concert band is practising hard before joining the woodwind and percussion sections on stage at the City Halls, and despite the fun atmosphere, there's some serious work going on here.

The concerts are just a few weeks away - they will take place at the City Halls on December 15 and 16 - and children and young people from all over the city are rehearsing furiously to make sure this year's event - of which the Evening Times is media partner - is nothing short of spectacular.

In a break between rehearsals, Jim explained: "There are about 80 kids involved in the concert band (also called the wind band) this year, from about primary six to sixth year, from all areas of the city.

"It's a fantastic opportunity - many of these kids will have few chances to perform in front of crowds of thousands of people, in such a world-class venue."

The concert band will join the full orchestra, a pipe band, a choir, three string ensembles and a big band on the night - around 400 kids will take part in total, and everyone comes together for a fabulous finale.

"I've been doing this for a few years, and I've never met any young person who didn't get something out of it," smiles Jim, who has had a lifelong love of music.

He played euphonium as a pupil at Bellarmine Secondary in Pollok in the 70s, then went on to learn the trumpet. After he left school, he became a music tutor and he has been a conductor for around 10 years. Jim now teaches brass to kids at Glasgow high schools.

"This is the chance to get involved in something so much bigger than a school band," he says.

"The City Halls is a brilliant venue, of course, and we're really lucky to be able to rehearse and perform here. And the atmosphere on the night, when it all comes together, is amazing."

Mark Evans gives some vital voice lessons	Mathew Donnelly and Emma Donohoe take a quick break from their concert rehearsals	Twins Christopher and Kieran can't wait for the concerts	A group of young trumpet players prepare for the festive concerts	Conductor Jim Lang ensures the orchestra follows his key instructions

Jim adds: "We get a lot of talented kids here - some of them will go on to study music, and do extremely well.

"But it's really just about having a great experience, and everyone who joins in with enthusiasm will get something out of it."

The Kenny household in the East End of Glasgow must be one of the noisiest in the city.

Fourteen-year-old triplets Christopher, Kieran and Stephen play an astonishing six instruments between them.

"We love music, and always have done," grins Christopher, who plays trombone in the wind band with his brother Kieran, who plays French horn. Christopher and Kieran also play piano and guitar respectively.

The third triplet, Stephen, who plays euphonium and recorder, is not in the band.

"We can't persuade him to come along," laughs Kieran. "But we all play together in the house. It's a really noisy place when we rehearse together."

Christopher, who, along with his brothers is in third year at St Andrew's Secondary School, adds: "We're all really looking forward to the concerts."

Matthew Donnelly, 16, a fifth year pupil from Lourdes Secondary, has been playing trumpet since first year at school, but he's not planning on making it his career.

"I'd like to go into banking or finance, something like that - but I'll always play music to chill out," explains Matthew, who also plays piano and guitar.

Emma Donohoe, 17, is in sixth year at St Andrew's Secondary in Springburn and she plays the trombone.

"It is quite unusual for girls to play the trombone," she says.

"There are not too many of us about. But I just liked it."

Emma, who wants to be a maths teacher when she leaves school, is no stranger to huge crowds, however.

"I've just come back from Bremen, where I was playing in the International Youth Orchestra and that was amazing. We had to play in front of thousands of people," she says. "Now we're all just working really hard, practising for the Christmas concerts."

More than 2000 people snapped up tickets to last year's concerts and demand is expected to be equally high this year.

Scottish tenor Jamie McDougall, who is one third of Caledon, and also presents BBC Radio Scotland's classical music programme Grace Notes, will be compere on the night.