Albany Senior High School and Great Southern Grammar students go Radio Active at the Entertainment Centre

Students from Albany Senior High School, Great Southern Grammar and the WA Academy of Performing Arts’ contemporary music program will be strutting their stuff on the stage of Albany’s Entertainment Centre in a one-off concert on Friday.

Entitled Radio Active Albany, the students will be playing classics which cover every genre of pop, rock and soul music in what should be a brilliant spectacle involving a large cast of young musicians and singers.

The concert is the culmination of a series of week-long, in-residence workshops in Albany led by WAAPA staff normally based in Perth.

It’s the 14th concert and is an annual inspiration for the students who take part, according to ASHS music teacher Roger Arnold.

“It’s a great opportunity and a super learning experience for the students,” he said.

Great Southern Grammar student Audrey Cherry, 16, whose star turn will come when she plays alto sax on Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street, has enjoyed taking part.

“This is such a cool thing to be able to do,” she said.

The highlight for her schoolmate Iris Miller, 18, has been working with the WAAPA students.

WAAPA sends lecturers to Albany every week to teach 16 local students who are studying its Diploma of Music course.

Music director Matt Allen said although the WAAPA, Great Southern Grammar and ASHS students would play their own sets, the concert was ultimately a collaboration between them all.

He promised a fusion of genres, styles and energies.

“It’s got soul-stirring ballads and electrifying rock anthems — and everything in between,” he said.

“Each performance is a testament to the boundless creativity and passion of the young artists.”

He said the concert will feature songs from artists from the 70s to the present day, including Peter Gabriel, John Farnham, Cold Chisel, Silverchair and Harry Styles.

“It provides an opportunity for WAAPA students to showcase their virtuosity while also mentoring and collaborating with the budding talents of Albany Senior High School and Great Southern Grammar,” he said.

“Together they weave a tapestry of melodies, harmonies and rhythms, bridging generations and cultures through the universal language of music.”

The concert starts at 7.30pm on Friday with tickets available on the Arts and Culture trust website.