As frontman of the band Supergrass and with his own successful solo career, Gaz Coombes is one of the best-loved faces on the Oxford music scene.

Earlier this year he delighted fans by playing a show at the city’s historic Sheldonian Theatre – one of the first rock artists to have performed at the 17th century Christopher Wren-designed concert venue.

Today Gaz releases a vinyl record of that gig – with proceeds going to charity.

May’s show, which helped celebrate the venue’s 350th anniversary, saw Gaz and his band perform a bespoke set with the 42-piece Hot Fruit Orchestra, with music arranged and conducted by composer Luke Lewis.

The ‘scratch’ orchestra was made up of students, professors and alumni of the Oxford University Faculty of Music, none of whom had previously played together as an ensemble.

Money raised at the concert was donated to Oxford charities Yellow Submarine,​ which supports people with learning difficulties, and the Young Women’s Music Project (YWMP) – which aims to get more girls and women into contemporary music.

The same two causes will benefit from the sale of the Sheldonian Live EP, which has been mixed by the Faculty of Music’s studio manager, Dan Hulme.

The charities today welcomed the release.

Mercury Prize and Ivor Novello-nominated artist Gaz, who lives with his family in Wheatley, said of the show: “It was such a seat of the pants performance on the night, but that’s how I like it – that’s when strange and magic things happen.

“We only had a couple of run throughs on the day with Luke and the orchestra. I felt we were all playing on instinct, propelling each other forward. In that setting, with the lights and orchestra, it kind of felt like Christmas – in May.”

Read again: Gaz plays historic venue to celebrate its 350th anniversary

The show received a five-star review from the Oxford Mail.

Gaz was joined at the Sheldonian by long term collaborators, rock guitarists Nick ‘Growler’ Fowler and Garo Nahoulakian, Carterton drummer Mike Monaghan and backing singers ‘The Roxys’ (Piney Gir, Emma Brammer and Samantha Whates).

Musicians included Prof Gascia Ouzounian, who said: “This was an extraordinary opportunity for students and staff from the Faculty of Music to play alongside Gaz Coombes, one of the world’s finest singer-songwriters, in the Sheldonian, with gorgeous orchestral arrangements by Luke Lewis.

Oxford Mail:

Picture by Helen Messenger

“The concert not only raised funds for two very worthwhile causes, but it did so in style. Every person in the hall felt the power and beauty of Gaz’s music, which he played to perfection and which was taken to new heights through Luke’s imaginative arrangements. A memorable night.”

Read again: Gaz raises the roof at Sheldonian with historic gig with heart

DPhil student and performer Patrick Brennan said: “I really enjoyed the fusion that took place in the Sheldonian that evening - the chance to play my violin at an orchestral desk, but accompanied by guitars, drums, synthesisers, and of course Gaz Coombes’ sensational vocals.”

Zahra Haji Fath Ali Tehrani, the director of YWMP, said the concert was a first in the way it “showcased local musicians in a prestigious venue, shedding light on the charity’s work in Oxford.”

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The venue was provided for free as part of the Sheldonian Theatre Curators’ 350th Anniversary Community Engagement Scheme.

The four-track vinyl is out today through Caroline International.

It features tracks The Girl Who Fell To Earth, The Oaks, Walk The Walk and Slow Motion Life.