Musicals star Sara Cubitt celebrated the sound of music, with 200 students from the Gloucestershire academy where she learned to sing.

It was back to the very beginning for the singer, as she led the 40th anniversary celebrations of Gloucestershire Academy of Music (GAM) with the theme tune from The Sound of Music.

The Big Birthday Bash, involving students aged 4 to 74, was staged at Cheltenham Town Hall on Sunday (January 29). It saw students from infants and string starters to accomplished teenage musicians perform an eclectic mix of classical and modern pieces, featuring GAM's singing groups, orchestras, woodwind and cello ensembles.

It was the grand finale to a string of high-profile celebrations to raise funds for the academy's £500,000 appeal to buy its base at Barbican House in the heart of Gloucester.

Founded 40 years ago by musician Caroline Lumsden, GAM has grown into a major music education centre, with more than 2,000 pupils passing through its doors annually.

Its headquarters are also home to Gloucestershire Boys' Choir, who performed at the concert, the internationally-renowned Flowers Band, the newly-formed Gloucester Dementia Choir, The Nethra Association of Performing Arts and Gamelan workshops.

Last month, GAM was chosen as charity of the year by county council chair, Cllr Alan Preest, who wants to help it achieve its goal of bringing its diverse mix of music and the arts to all corners of the county.

He was one of a number of special guests at Sunday's performance, which included the county high sheriff, Sir Dusty Miller, the mayor of Gloucester, Cllr Howard Hyman and GAM patron Dame Janet Trotter.

Glyn Oxley, academy principal, who took over the running of GAM in the 1990s, said: "Our Big Birthday Bash was all about the journey we have been on over the past 40 years. Sara was one of GAM's very first students and it was inspirational to have her performing with our infants, juniors, seniors and adults in a celebration of music."

Caroline Lumsden, founder, who took part in conducting the youngest singers and strings players, said: "It was very special to have Sara back with us, showing where musical talent can lead to. I remember her wonderful voice developing as a child."

Sara Cubitt, who now lives in Norfolk, said: "We have nothing like GAM in Norfolk for my children and I just wish every county had an academy like this."

All images credit: Mikal Ludlow