SOUL singers from a Newton Abbot school are celebrating being asked to perform at a national festival. 

Coombeshead Academy’s soul band will be heading to Birmingham, the only group from Devon invited to appear at Music For Youth’s National Festival. 

The school hosted a regional final for the national youth music charity which works with young people aged 25 and under at its theatre earlier this term.  

The school’s soul band played at the festival alongside Devon orchestras and jazz ensembles and other local groups. 

Following that performance, the Coombeshead band will now perform in front of more than 2,000 people in Birmingham. 

If they get through to the next stage, they will go on to appear at the Royal Albert Hall in London. 

The school houses the CREATE Creative Arts Academy, home to specialist studios and teachers offering learning in a range of creative courses.

Helen Coulson, Head of School at Coombeshead Academy said: ‘I am over the moon that our soul band has been asked to perform at Music for Youth’s National Festival at the Birmingham Symphony Hall.  

‘I am so proud of all the students in the band and know they will do Coombeshead proud on the day.’

Music For Youth’s vision is to ensure that every young person in the UK can achieve their musical potential by performing the music they love.  

They believe that music, and the chance to participate in high-quality musical activities, should be open to every young person.