The Duke of Kent opened a school music centre on his visit to High Wycombe yesterday.

The royal dropped into Wycombe High School on Marlow Road to open their new music centre before heading across the road to visit Wycombe Leisure Centre on Wednesday morning.

The school’s new state-of-the-art centre, which was completed in April last year, provides pupils with two specialist music classrooms that convert via a sound-proofed sliding door into a performance, rehearsal and recital space, nine music practice rooms, a recording studio, a music technology suite, extra toilets, office space and storage areas for instruments.

The Duke of Kent joined dignitaries including Countess Howe, chairman of Bucks County Council Bill Chapple OBE, Francesca Skelton, High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, Doctor Who star Colin Baker and councillors such as Zahir Mohammed, BCC Cabinet Member for Education.

After cutting a celebration cake and taking a tour of the building - funded through a music campaign called Play Your Part which managed to raise £1.3 million within 18 months of being set up - the Duke of Kent watched a concert performance by the school’s senior competition choir.

The Duke of Kent said he was “immensely impressed” with the music centre and the girls’ singing.

Unveiling a commemorative plaque, he said: “I don’t think I have ever seen a school with a music centre that could compete with this. I think it is extremely impressive.”

Sally Jarrett, deputy head teacher, said: “This is a very, very proud and exciting moment for us and one that means a great deal to all our students and current and former parents, governors and staff, especially those who are musically minded.

“Our very sincere thanks go to staff, parents and friends who have worked so very hard over so many months to fundraise for and design and build the very best music centre possible.

“The building epitomises to us all ambition, determination, progress, hard work and opportunity. Most importantly it epitomises the importance of community.” 

View the gallery and video for the Duke of Kent's visit to Wycombe Leisure Centre.