An audience enjoyed an “evening of excellence” as young musicians took to the stage for a summer concert.
Children at Bede Academy, in Blyth, sang and played a range of string, wind and percussion instruments in the annual showcase of talent.
Headteacher Irene Watson, for whom it was the last concert before she retires, said the standard of playing and singing was increasing each year at the academy, where all children have the opportunity to learn an instrument or to join a choir.
“We have got some very, very accomplished players now which is down to testament to their teachers and the children practising so hard” she said.
Drummers Nathaniel Allen and Dylan Parker opened the concert followed by clarinetists Anna Meggison and Alyssa Pollard and flautists Elize Aydeniz, Abigail Stafford and Charlotte Wakenshaw.
A popular instrument at the academy, further talent on the flute was shown by Alysse Clough, Thea Hillman, Olivia Little, Rebecca Middleton, Cora Birch, Lauren Fletcher, Sophia Wilson and Rachel Bate.
Vocal trio Grace Harrison, Arwen Jenkins and Eve Turner performed You’ve Got a Friend in Me from Toy Story, and the upper choir later gave a rousing performance of Gary Barlow’s Sing.
Joe Beall, Charlotte Coppen, William Robinson, Lilla Richmond, Corey Ellis and Eleanor Kerr played the violin, and Aimee Rutherford and Lois Straughan gave the concert a North East flavour with traditional regional favourites on the penny whistle.
Pianists Denny Shy, Phoebe Harrison and Eleanor Kerr demonstrated who they have achieved grade three and four, and there were guitar performances by Evie Charlton, Evan Helsop, Austin Newman, Eddie Hogg, Harvey Jackson and Joseph Killington.
The concert was rounded off by Joe Cooper and James Shutt on the drums and the Primary Beat percussion group led by Finlay Scott.
Thanking the peripatetic teachers and music lead David Tallent for their dedication to the children, Mrs Watson added: “It really has been an evening of excellence. I am so pleased for the children because they have shown quiet inner confidence that’s very well earned. Everyone demonstrated that hard work and commitment to making music and singing pays off.”
Mr Tallent said: “It’s worth every minute to see how far the children have come on over the years, and I also thank the parents for encouraging their children when things get tough. This was one of the most confident concerts we’ve had.”