STUDENTS from Poole’s Victoria Education Centre and Sports College have taken part in two ground-breaking musical performances.

Fourteen disabled students shared the stage with 18 members of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, where they performed on a range of instruments including trumpets, cornets and strings.

Also – as part of this ‘Victoria goes Baroque’ project – they used iPads to play music electronically.

College principal Chris Davies explained: “These concerts were a fantastic achievement for our students and a great way to conclude this project.

“Our performers enjoyed demonstrating the skills they have developed and delivered some great entertainment.

“We would like to thank Drake Music and the Orchestra of the age of Enlightenment for working with us and making all of this possible.”

The project became a reality after the Poole college was awarded a £24,000 Youth Music grant last September.

Since then, students at the Lindsey Road college have enjoyed a series of workshops where they’ve got to grips with various instruments.

The college is a leading day and residential establishment offering specialised care, therapy and sport for young people with disabilities.

The performances took place at the college campus and at Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre.

Victoria Education and Sports College is run by national disability charity Livability.

Livability spokesman Fabienne Jacquet ex-plained: “The Orchestra of the Age of Enlight-enment is a world-renowned orchestra that plays on original instruments to bring the very best of classical music as it was intended to be heard.”