MUSIC took on military might at an academy carol service when members of an army band joined student musicians.
A dozen musicians from the Band of the Royal Armoured Corps travelled from Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, to play at Bede Academy carol service, in Blyth, by permission of Brigadier General Strickland DSO MBE, Commander, Fourth Infantry Brigade.
The visit was organised by Major Mark Aldridge, a former member of the regiment and now the academy's Director of Music.
The band accompanied the academy orchestra in seasonal music, as well as playing congregational Christmas carols.
The service brought together the whole of Bede Academy North in an end of term celebration with readings, prayers and blessings.
The choir from Bede South, led by David Tallent, also joined the celebration, performing two songs on stage.
The carols were opened by Rachel Bate, who sang the first verse of O Little Town of Bethlehem solo.
As well as performances by the Bede North Choir and the Junior Choir, Jake Watson sang a solo of Stille Nacht in German.
Readings were given by students Alyssa Pollard, head boy Jay Robinson, deputy head girl Chloe Bell, Jude Cunningham and Jack Mace, and Principal Gwyneth Evans and head of primary years Bethan Harding.
In his address on the service theme of The Gift of Love, Executive Principal of the Emmanuel Schools Foundation Jonathan Winch said: "A gift becomes the best gift because the person who gave it to you knows you and has chosen exactly what you want. When you go Christmas shopping, make it a gift of love. choose something that says I love you.
"The biggest and most generous gift that was ever given by anybody to anyone else was the gift of Lord Jesus to us by God and that's what we remember at this time of year.”
