PUPILS showed that they are top of the class when it comes to music by being part of a Government drive to get more children to pick up a musical instrument.

The lucky students at Twyford CofE High School were joined last Thursday by stars of music and television to promote the joys and benefits of music.

Jazz pianist and singer Jamie Cullum, the eclectic retro-style VV Brown and beat-boxer Killa Kela, who uses his mouth to create drum beats and other musical sounds, joined pupils in a performance at the school.

The live event was hosted by popular television presenter Konnie Huq and featured recorded interviews with Simon Cowell, Lily Allen, The Hoosiers and members of English National Ballet, among others.

Explaining the aim of The Year of Music, Konnie Huq said: "My school didn't focus on music at all, it just wasn't on my radar. If you aren't given the opportunity, it can pass you by.

"At an assembly it can fall on deaf ears and eyes glaze over, but having these guys here will hopefully get pupils involved and inspire them."

The show was broadcast from the specialist music college, in Twyford Crescent, Acton, to schools across the country.

Twyford was chosen as the venue because of the school's focus on music. It has a 200-seat performance centre, three computer suites with state-of-the-art music software, two recording studios and a radio station.

Jamie Cullum said: "I'd have actually wanted to go to school if mine had been like this. The kids were amazing - they are really talented."

The event was the first of many to be held across the country as part of a national project called Tune In: A Year of Music.

VV Brown added: "Music gets the brain working in a different way, it's really important. It develops a creativity, an energy which can be used in other academic subjects as well."

Headteacher Alice Hudson was delighted her school had been chosen and said it reflects their work on encouraging music.

"Music is the lifeblood of our school," she said. "I feel evangelical about encour-aging other schools to get into music in the same way."