CONCERTS showcasing local musical talent are not unusual – but there was more riding on the one held in Cinderford last Friday than most for its teenage organisers.

The gig at the Forest High School had been organised by eight students as part of their BTEC music course.

The Year 11 students have been working on the project for two years and on Friday night it all came together in front of an audience of more than 70.

Student Billy Baker, who is the singer and guitarist with local punk band In the Rough, said: “We had to plan everything as evidence for the unit which goes towards our final grade.

“The unit asks you to put on a live event, so that can be anything which involves music and we thought it would be good for the community to hear stuff that has come from the school.”

The band’s drummer, Dan Bowles, added: “It was our chance to take control and work together as a group to put on an event.

“We had to figure out what to do and learn about what it takes to put on an event.”

There is a thriving music scene in Cinderford, said Billy, with groups and individuals ranging

from vocalists to punk and heavy metal.

He said: “The most thriving scene is hardcore punk but there are lots of heavy metal bands and quite a few female vocalists.”

Part of the art of putting together a programme is showcasing the range of talent around but being aware of the audience.

Billy said: “We wanted it to be family-friendly so we had to keep that in mind all the time.

“There was one band we really liked but although we thought we were heavy, they took it to the next level.”

The showcase was also a fund-raiser with the proceeds being split between Forest High and Music Works, the Gloucestershire-based music charity which operates out of the Sound Space studio on the school site.

Dan said: “Without Sound Space we wouldn’t have a band – it’s an awesome facility for Cinderford.

“We practise here as much as we can because it is just the best facility and it’s certainly helped us improve as a band.”

Music teacher Mark Bick said: “The showcase is the culmination of nearly two years hard work by this group of young people.

“They have been attending lessons for two hours every week after school since 2016 and before that attended after-school club.”

The BTEC music students also worked with studio manager and former Forest High pupil Robin Jones and local band Elessar.

The concert featured 12 acts and each of the BTEC students had at least two roles each from setting up and packing down, welcoming the audience, sound, stage management, filming, introductions and performing.

The feedback for the show was extremely positive with many audience members commenting on the quality of the acts.

The acts were drawn from Years 10 and 11 at Forest High, alongside Ashleigh Turley from the Milestone School in Gloucester who impressed with her classical and jazz solo piano.

There were also well-received performances by solo singers Ella Jones and Sam Wilkinson, harmony vocals from Emily Goy and Abbi Bell, rock guitar from Will Clissold and Tony Hurst and the headline act In the Rough who rounded off the night with and a great set.

Billy said: “It’s not the biggest gig we’ll play this year, but it is very important to us because it is ours.”

Mr Bick said: “I have been thrilled by the commitment skills and professionalism of the young people.

“The Year 11s were involved in all aspects of the show, including the less visible planning, marketing and management tasks.

“I am also very proud of the talent and professionalism of everyone who performed, the singing, playing and stagecraft.  

“Guitarist and vocalist Tony Hurst deserves a particular mention for coming back a second time after his performance had gone a bit wrong and nailing it - that kind of courage is vital in performing arts!  

“The whole showcase was a demonstration of how much young people can achieve, given the opportunity and encouragement.”

•See this week’s Review for more photographs.