A SHOWCASE concert at the Forest High School in Cinderford will feature the musical talents of students past and present.

The event, on Friday February 9, has been organised by the Year 11 BTEC music group.

The eight students behind it have spent nearly two years planning and organising it as part of their course.

They have been attending lessons after school for two hours every week since 2016 and before that went to an after-school club.

They will be performing as well as running the event on the night, which takes place between 6pm and 8pm in the school’s Spotlight Theatre.

The takings will be split between the school and the Music Works which helps young people express themselves through music.

The BTEC music group has been inspired by working with Robin Jones the studio manager, an ex-student himself and by local band Elessar, who performed at the first gig the students helped organised.

The first half will include performances by younger students and the headline act is In the Rough, a band made up of three of the Forest High BTEC students, and one student from Five Acres Academy.

The band’s lead guitarist and singer, Billy Baker, said: “ Involvement in music through school and the Music Works has improved me as a musician and as a person, making me more confident.

“Putting together gigs at Forest of Dean Community Church helped us build experience and enabled us to meet Paige, our bass player and singer.

“In the last nine months we have played in Cinderford, Gloucester and Newnham and started writing our own songs.

“I have been offered a place to do music at college this September which was my aim from the start”

Head teacher at Forest High, Paul Holroyd said: “We are delighted that our BTEC music students have been able to set this up. They have the full support of the school.

“We want all our students to see how, with hard work, commitment and inspiration, great things can be achieved.”