Inspired by the BBC documentary ‘The Choir’, All Saints Catholic College, in conjunction with the OPAL foundation and the Diocese of Leeds, in September 2007, formed a choir ‘from scratch.’ In April 2008, All Saints Choir took first prize in the OPAL ‘Magic of Music’ competition in the Royal Albert Hall in London – their prize being an all expenses paid trip to Austria this Summer to compete in the World Choir Games.
All Saints Catholic College Choir, numbering 36 male and female singers, competed in the Youth Choir category against choirs from Europe, Africa, South America and Asia.
The choir sang four pieces: Shto mi e milo – traditional Macedonian, Flying Free – Don Besig, Anima Christi – Russian, Benedictus and Hosanna – Emily Crocker. The choir was conducted by Christopher McElroy (Assistant Director of Music, Diocese of Leeds) and accompanied on the piano by Dr Christopher Johns (Choral Director, Diocese of Leeds.) School music teacher, Catherine Lunn played the flute.
With over 400 choirs from 91 countries, the World choir games is the biggest international choral competition in the world. The All Saints Choir competed against choirs who had worked together for many years and who were a great deal older. Mary Nixon, Headteacher said, “The whole college community is bursting with pride at this success. We took the view that ‘participation was the greatest honour’, – but to triumph so spectacularly on the world stage is a moment these students and our college will savour for a very long time. We have already taken bookings for the Autumn!”
In addition to singing themselves, All Saints choir had many opportunities to explore singing styles and repertoires of other cultures, as well as interact with singers from across the globe!
Choir Director Chris McElroy said: ‘The choir have performed marvellously: Over the last year they have worked hard together as a team, inspiring each other to further develop their choral singing skills. The bronze medal which they have been awarded is richly deserved!’
1 comment:
I am part of this choir and would just like to say thank you to Mr McElroy especially as well as Dr Johns and Miss Kitson for all their hard work over the last year. I for one cant believe that we, a choir that has been running less than a year recieved a bronze medal when other choirs that have been running for many years didn't get anything, well done to everyone, it was an amazing experience and everyone made it very special!
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