ONE of the country’s best baroque trumpeters has paid a visit to brass-playing students at a primary school.

Early music specialist Robert Farley today (FRI) visited Howletch Lane Primary School, in Peterlee, as part of a scheme to support young musicians.

Musical group The Durham Singers, along with the Durham County Youth Choir, aim to inspire local children to get involved in music and singing through their concerts.

After workshop session in which Mr Farley demonstrated his highly regarded trumpet skills, they performed classical ensembles for pupils, former pupils and visitors from other Peterlee Partnership schools.

The programme included Purcell’s “Fairest Isle” and “Trumpet Tunes, and Handel’s famous “The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba”.

Jane Shuttleworth, the choir’s publicity manager said: “A live performance is so exciting, and of course we’ve got the added sparkle of the amazing baroque trumpets, so we wanted to be able to share it with families and young children.”

Richard Winn, teacher and music co-ordinator at Howletch Lane, added: "It is vitally important that the opportunity to hear and see professional musicians is extended to as many children as possible.

“It was an amazing afternoon and, I'm sure, will inspire our musicians to achieve great things in the future."