A HORWICH teenager starred in a world-first performance for her music school’s golden anniversary earlier this month.

Trumpeter Holly Clark was part of Cheetham’s School of Music’s one-thousand strong ensemble that became the first student group to perform Gustav Mahler’s ‘Symphony of a Thousand’.

The country’s largest specialist music school celebrated their 50th anniversary on Friday July 5 with guests including school patron HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

Cheetham’s principal Alun Jones said: “Chetham’s is a truly remarkable institution, filled with astonishingly talented young people, and this concert is testament to their dedication and musical ability.

“To the best of our knowledge, no other school has ever attempted Mahler’s ‘Symphony of a Thousand’, and perhaps no other school could.”

Bolton-born Holly was introduced to the cornet aged nine and began playing in Longridge Brass Band based in Ribble Valley and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain.

Earlier this year she performed as a soloist at Wigmore Hall, London and reached the final of the BrassPass UK Young Brass Award.

She has now successfully auditioned to join the Royal Academy of Music in September.

Groups such as the choristers of Manchester and Hereford Cathedrals and even the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing helped build the numbers to the one thousand mark.

Pupils like Holly follow a full academic curriculum alongside their specialist music education, meaning some students came to rehearsals straight from their GCSE or A-Level exams.

Funding through the Department for Education ensures their training is accessible to all young people, with bursaries available to cover school fees.