THE Stadium Spectacular 2012 musical extravaganza was the biggest event of its kind ever to be held in Kirklees.

Thousands of enthusiastic schoolchildren came together at Huddersfield’s John Smith’s Stadium on Friday, June 29 to commemorate the double celebration of the Olympic Games and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Stadium fever spread right throughout the district with the result that the evening musical performance attracted an impressive total of 12,000 spectators and participants of all ages and backgrounds.

The musical talent on display from 110 schools was impressive and the event combined three major annual music festivals – Kirklees Primary Music Festival, Kirklees Middle and Secondary Schools’ Showcase and Kirklees Music School Showcase.

Kirklees Music School principal Thom Meredith said: “KMS was delighted to be able to facilitate one of the biggest youth celebrations across the country.Š

“It was approached in the true spirit of partnership with schools, local musicians, sports organisations and KMS coming together to provide an amazing experience for the young people of Kirklees.Š With over 5,000 young people involved, this event really rocked the stadium.”

After excellent pre-concert performances from middle and high schools, the concert began with an Olympic-style opening ceremony.

A marching band of over 100 children accompanied representatives from each school carrying banners and flags they had designed.

More than 1,000 instrumentalists performed, the choir was 4,500 strong and a massed Hakka involved 600 dancers.

Host was Kirsten O’Brien and Michael Fish – from Britain’s Got Talent who is a former KMS pupil – also featured. Music was written for the concert by local composer Alan Simmons and secondary school pupils performed their own compositions.

Community groups including Hi Notes (led by Music and the Deaf) and the Sikh Youth Dhol Academy also showcased.

Adding to the mix, students from the Creative and Media Studio School in Rawthorpe designed posters, tickets, T-shirts and the programme.

Heather Wood, headteacher at Almondbury Junior School, added: “This was a fantastic opportunity for children to be involved in a truly memorable event.

“To be able to perform with so many children at such a large venue was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and something they will remember for the rest of their lives”.