MUSICIANS from a North Yorkshire school have been tuning up their performances before taking their musical ensemble to Amsterdam.

A total of 62 music students and eight staff from Richmond School will visit Holland and Belgium to play a total of four concerts over five days.

The group will include the school choir, a wind band, string orchestra, guitar ensemble, swing band, brass ensemble and flute choir.

Su McCormack, the school’s acting director of creative arts, said: "The school has a European music trip every three years to give the students the chance to play in front of a different kind of audience, not just parents, relatives and teachers.

"This lets them experience what life would be like as a professional musician."

Students will also get the opportunity to perform at Menin Gate memorial, in Ypres, Belgium.

They will play at a remembrance service which has taken place every day since 1919, commemorating the 55,000 British and imperial soldiers who died defending the town during the First World War.

Violinist Hannah Parrott, 16, from Brompton, will be leading the string section and singing in the school choir.

She said: "I have already been on one of the school music trips and am really looking forward to this one. It’s like having a holiday but also getting to play your music."

A full rehearsal concert for family, friends and relatives took place on Wednesday with donations collected for the tour.