MELODIC maestros set the tone for a dazzling end of term display of music and song.
Talented young musicians, from Bede Academy, Blyth, turned up the tempo for an evening of rock, pop, blues, classical, big band, folk and funk at their annual summertime concert.
Over 70 primary pupils, aged five-11, performed a medley of pitch perfect songs and musical numbers from stage and screen to a delighted audience of parents, carers, family and friends.
Led by Bede’s head of music David Tallent, drummers, violinists, pianists, flautists, clarinettists, guitarists and singers delighted with numbers including pop classics from The Animals, Adele and Emeli Sande, West End stage numbers from Oliver and musical movie scores from Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King and James Bond.
Year 5 student Joe Beall provided one of the many highlights of the evening with an outstanding performance of Empty Chairs at Empty Tables, from the musical Les Miserables, which received rapturous applause from the packed school hall.
Head of primary years Bethan Harding said: “This is my first concert at Bede and I really have been totally blown away by the incredible talent that we have within our academy.
“We have a fantastic music department and fabulous musically-talented teachers, who have all worked so hard, along with our incredible students, to put on this performance.
“I have been to a lot of primary schools and have never ever seen anything quite like this. The students were absolutely phenomenal and I feel quite emotional - all I can say is wow!, and what a great end to the year.”
The musical extravaganza concluded with a rousing drum finale with Nathaniel Allen, Joe Cooper, James Shutt, Harry Blake, Cole Taylor and Ethan Oates, accompanied by Mr Tallent.
Joe, 11, of Blyth, said: “I started playing the drums two and a half years ago when a friend let me have a go on his kit and I loved it.
“I practise in the academy drum club after school and have passed my Grade 5. This is the third academy concert that I’ve played in and I really enjoy it.”
Joe’s mum Diane Cooper added: “The concert was absolutely excellent with a great range of musical talent on show.
“Joe has been practising on his drum kit every night this week, until about 11pm, for the concert so it’s good that we live in a detached house and haven’t annoyed the neighbours too much.”