Music from the big band era will fill the atrium at a Shirebrook school when it holds the first of a unique series of free entertainment events designed to bring the community together.

Shirebrook Academy, onn Common Lane, is hosting the Tony Farrell Big Band, whose repertoire includes tunes made famous by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Ella Fitzgerald and Michael Bublé, on 24th January at 7.30pm.

Although the school has hosted one-off music events in the past, the performance is part of a season of cultural events that will also include a poetry performance in February, a concert by the Shirebrook Miners’ Welfare Band in March and a performance of Hamlet in April.

All of the events, which are free to attend, are open to anybody, whether or not they have a child at the school and are being held as part of the school’s commitment to playing a greater role in the wider community.

Andy Gilbert, vice-principal of Shirebrook Academy, said that the events are being funded by the school’s endowment fund, which was established when it was granted Academy status in 2010 in order to pay for projects designed to benefit residents living in Shirebrook.

Mr Gilbert added: “All schools hold music and performance events, but I can’t think of any locally that are putting on a series of events on this scale, which is why we’re so excited about this venture.

“People of all ages get so much enjoyment and benefit enormously from attending cultural events like this, but with opportunities to do so limited in this area, we decided to make it possible.

“The Tony Farrell Big Band are very popular and are a great way to kick-off the programme, and although we accept that some events will attract more people than others, we hope that the community come along and support us.”

The Tony Farrell Big Band was established in 1991 and is well-known across the East Midlands, while sharp-eyed students will be able to spot a familiar face among their musicians – in the shape of Adam Case, the school’s music teacher, who plays guitar with the band when he’s not at work.

Although the event is free, a donation box will be available during the evening if anyone would like to make a donation.

The school’s atrium has a capacity of 180 people and spaces are limited, so anyone who wishes to attend should contact [email protected]