Yarm School’s Choir is one step away from national glory after triumphing at the regional stage of the National Choir of the Year competition.
The choir, which is made up of 40 pupils aged 18 years and under, competed at Leeds Town Hall in one of the regional rounds and was one of four choirs, across all categories, which progressed to the national selection stage.
It was the first time that Yarm School has entered the competition and they were the only school choir to progress from its regional heat, despite competition from experienced performers.
Video and audio footage from the regional heat will now be analysed and the best four youth choirs will go on to the category finals at Birmingham Symphony Hall, in October, with the grand final taking place at The Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, in December.
The pupils gave performances of Zum Sanctus, Seal Lullaby and O Occhi Manza Mia, with the judging panel complimenting the choir’s ‘brilliant programme, beautiful tone and communication with the audience.’
Katie Staggs, Director of Music at Yarm School, said: “I am so proud of our Choir for all they have achieved. To progress onto the next stage of such a prestigious competition in our first year of entering is fantastic news, given the level of competition with many of the other participants having much more experience than our group.
“It was a superb performance by our students who impressed the judging panel, and hopefully we will be celebrating further success and will be competing in Birmingham later in the year.”
David Dunn, Headmaster at Yarm School, said: “We have enjoyed a successful start to the year with many of our pupils performing in our musical, Guys and Dolls, and this latest recognition is welcome news. Our choir has put in a lot of hard work, especially fitting in rehearsals around school commitments, so a place in the category finals would be well deserved. I would like to wish our students all the very best.”