Brass bands are big in the High Peak area. So when Colin Short, lead cornet player with the renowned Foden’s Courtois Band, joined the school two years ago he was keen to build on these local traditions and the school’s existing musical strengths. Helped by dedicated members of staff, Colin’s own one-man-band - otherwise known as the music department - set about organising a joint performance with local primary schools at the splendid Victorian Buxton Opera House.

This year’s 900-seat sell-out of Youth Presents Music featured 300 pupils from Chapel-en-le-Frith and its feeder primaries: Chapel-en-le-Frith, Combs, Buxworth, Chinley, Dove Holes, Taxal and Fernilee, Whaley Bridge and Warmbrook Juniors.

Pupils joined for a finale of Consider Yourself from Oliver!. Head Stuart Ash commented “It was marvellous to enjoy the richness of musical talent of which the High Peak is so proud.”

Snaps by deputy head Zen Batowski.

* All together now: Karen Page prepares the choir for their night at the opera

* Teacher Elena Nuttall plays for Samantha Page

* Colin Short makes plans for the big night

* In harmony: the choir from Dove Holes Primary School

* Polishing up the brass: teacher Glynn Williams takes Karen Mellor for a practice session on the tenor horn

* In rehearsal: children from High Peak schools run through their numbers at Buxton Opera House

* Tuning up: Peter Killeen, Dawn Butler and Rachel Damms of Whaley Bridge Primary School on recorder