A STUDENT was left Comfortably Numb as he played alongside a legendary rock guitarist.

Brighton College guests, parents and pupils were treated to a once in a lifetime musical moment when Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour performed for the opening of the new music school.

As the lights dimmed, the room fell silent as the rock legend plucked out the first few chords of Wish You Were Here, accompanied by 17-year-old pupil Alex Sansbury on drums.

Mr Gilmour went on to play the title track from his fourth solo album Rattle That Lock, released in September and hitting the number one spot in 11 countries.

The college’s chamber choir were thrilled to accompany him on the track for an event which marked the official opening of the Eastern Road school’s brand new music school, designed by world-renowned Eric Parry Architects.

Director of music at the college Sandy Chenery said: “I think everyone felt watching David Gilmour live in such a wonderful setting was a very special moment.

“It marks the end of a long period of hard work by so many people to create a space that is breathtakingly beautiful.

“Every detail from the height of the asymmetrical gable to the seat fabric, from the moveable wall panels to the precise dimensions of each piece of glass has been designed to enhance the acoustics and make it both flexible and appropriate for the wide variety of music making that takes place here every day.”

The new building has a double-height recital hall, a ‘floating roof’ and full-height glass wall overlooking the sports fields.

The building also houses a percussion and rock room, a recording control room, additional music practice and teaching rooms, a seminar room for teaching and private study and a music library housing all orchestra, choral, instrumental and band music.