Conductor, mentor, teacher. Music man Peter Van Ooyen is the man behind the magic. He even performed a viola solo this night.

Parent Sarah Ahmadi and vice principal Mark Jefferson spent some time in the VIP room before the concert started.

Nine-year-old Mike Harrison, seen here with his mom Linda, is in his first year of music.

Grade 11 music student Clara Westwell-Roper and security/doorman Chris Cant were two of the many Handsworth students who took part. Clara was also the evening's MC.

Getting ready for the big show were Canyon Height's students Robbie Wasylyshyn (from left), Mark Ahmadi and Gabriel Standing.

These pretty violin players are all nine years old and attend Canyon Heights. From left: Danielle Homer, Angela Johnston and Grace McDonell.

Viola player Louis Lam (left) and cello player Sean Rah peeked out from behind the big instrument case.

Warming up before the show were Handsworth string players Richard Chen (from left), Wilson So, Yan Chiu and David Chau.

Strings teacher Lindsay Mellor has taught students like Lewis Forward (left) and Adam Silvester (right) at all the different schools.

Alysson Hall (left) and Anna Maria Blazs attend grade six together at Cleveland school.

Bass player Kristine Conway (left) and violin player Joanna Sun are just two of the many talented strings students in the program.

For four years now, grade 10 student Wooram Lee has mastered the violin.

Montroyal principal Gary Squire (back) was among the guests present to hear his students, namely Richard Schwendener (from left), Ian Williams and Isaac Won.