STUDENTS from Exeter College are staging Get Down On It, the culmination of two years of studying pop, rock, jazz and funk music.

The evening features music made famous by legends such as Queen, Billy Idol and the Bee Gees, and the students promise to ensure members of the audience dance the night away.

The show has been staged at Exeter Phoenix every year for the past seven years.

It has grown in popularity, and sold out all the tickets available for the 400-plus capacity auditorium at the arts centre in Gandy Street for several years.

The event is the final major project the students must do as part of the National Diploma in music practice (pop and jazz) course.

The music academy students must organise all aspects of the event, from marketing and printing promotional material to sponsorship and performing.

T-shirts, CDs and other merchandise will be sold on the night.

The music practice course is now in its seventh year and has proved very popular due to its vocational and practical methods of learning.

Students learn about the music industry and live performance, and incorporate their practical skills to put on various performances in the city throughout the two-year course.

The students get free instrument tuition and attend various workshops with figures in the music industry such as the Haggis Horns Band, which has played with Mark Ronson, Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen.

Students come to Exeter for the course from all over Devon, including Newton Abbot and Totnes to Okehampton and Barnstaple. Past students, such as George Cooper, have gone on to be successful industry professionals.

George is now in Los Angeles, studying under German composer Hans Zimmer, who is best known for his Academy Award, Grammy and Golden Globe-winning film scores including those for The Lion King and Gladiator. The college's music practice course is led by former industry professionals Laura Wright, Ian Rankin, Chris Griffin and Alistair Swainger.

Get Down On It is being staged on Thursday, June 11. Jazz in the bar starts at 7.30pm with music in the main auditorium starting at 8.30pm.

Tickets cost £4.50, or £3.50 for concessions. They are available from Exeter College music department on 01392 205222 or from Exeter Phoenix box office on 01392 667080.