IT was a proud moment for students from Trinity School as they rehearsed with the Royal North Sinfonia.

The youngsters held a practice session at St Cuthbert’s Church on Blackfriars Street in the city centre yesterday afternoon ahead of their big performance on Friday night.

Taking on the work of the legendary composer Beethoven with their own input, the pupils were able to contribute to the performance.

The event marks the great composers' 250th anniversary. It also kicks off a series of further events by the orchestra of the Sage in Gateshead, who will spend the next year performing the complete Beethoven symphony cycle at their north east venue.

Last night marked the first in that string of concerts.

Composer Michael Betteridge said: “The talent at Trinity School is amazing and it is great to see the work they have put in.

“After they learned a bit of the music, we tried to find a way to bring into the twenty-first century by using their ideas.

“They have been able to look at the work of Beethoven in a different way."