A dazzling light show lit up Huddersfield Town Hall - hours before the town was plunged into darkness.
Nearly 300 young singers and musicians took to the stage for a special concert last night.
The sold-out show, called The Mighty Sky, was staged on the eve of the first partial solar eclipse in 16 years.
It explored our place in the universe using music and cutting edge lighting production.
American singer-songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman joined Kirklees Youth Symphony Orchestra and youngsters from music schools from across Kirklees to take their audience through time and space.
The evening of songs featured songs from the Nashville-based singer’s Grammy nominated album The Mighty Sky.
This is a collection of songs in modern genres about astronomy.
Beth, arranger Jon Cohen, Daventry Music Centre and Kirklees Music School have adapted these for young musicians.
The youngsters also enjoyed performing music from Star Wars and The Planets.
The event featured galactic poems from Ian McMillan and astronomy from Prof Paul Roche, the UK National Schools’ Astronomer.
The impressive laser harp show was provided by band The Switch Duo.
A 200-strong choir were supported by 65 musicians from the Symphony Orchestra.
Youngsters from Netherthong Primary, Lindley Junior School, Farnley Tyas First, Thornhill Junior and Infants School, St Patrick’s Catholic Primary, and Norristhorpe Junior and Infants all took part.
Nick Dolling, assistant principal at Kirklees Music School, said: “It’s been brilliant and there were lots of very excited kids.
“They sounded brilliant and the lasers with the mist on the stage looked quite impressive. It looked like a full house which is great for the town hall.”
Money raised from the show will go towards the school’s work providing musical opportunities for musicians.
