Young singers help vulnerable children in national youth choral competition


image: Bill Hiskett

Talented children from Putney High School sang their hearts out in the hope of winning the title of the UK’s best youth choir in the final of the annual Barnardo’s National Choral Competition at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

The young choir from the school in Putney Hill joined just four other London schools for the fundraising event on Monday, March 12, having made the national shortlist of 25 from more than 100 entries.

They performed two songs to the judging panel, which consisted of conductor and composer Douglas Coombes MBE, organist Trevor Hughes, musicians Jay Deeble and Carole Lindsay-Douglas and festival director of the World’s Largest Male Choir Festival, Rob T Elliot.

The choirs then chose one song to sing before an audience at a concert later that evening, before the winners were announced.

For the third year running Lindley Junior School choir, from Huddersfield, took the under 12s category and youngsters from Kent College Choristers, from Kent College Junior School, were awarded second place in the category. Downe House Senior Choir, from Thatcham, were winners of the under 18s category with St John’s School, from Leatherhead, taking second place.

The £37,000 raised for Barnardo’s through the competition will go towards supporting 272,000 vulnerable children, young people, parents and carers across the UK.


All the competing choirs at the Royal Festival Hall image: Bill Hiskett

Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan said: "This was a wonderful evening of music performed by some talented young Barnardo’s supporters. Congratulations to the winning schools and well done to everyone who competed.

"We are so grateful for all of the hard work they put into their rehearsals – it certainly paid off and raised an incredible amount of money too. Fantastic fundraising events like this help Barnardo’s to continue its vital work delivering more than 1,000 services to help transform the lives of vulnerable children around the UK."

Assistant Head of Music at Putney High School, Jo Nicholls told this website: "Year 7 Choir were selected to sing in the Finals of the Barnado's National Choral Competition which was held at the Royal Festival Hall on Monday 12th March. This is the third successive time we have been selected! We haven't yet been chosen as the winning choir, but spirits remained high throughout the day. The girls had such a fantastic experience up on stage in the morning and the evening concert, but they also took part in a gamelan workshop and rehearsing for two massed choir songs with the other choirs from all over the country, as far as Wales and Yorkshire."

Barnardo’s events manager, Jen Privett added: "We’ve been blown away by the standard of the performances throughout the competition. Each child put their heart and soul into every single performance and should be very proud of what they have achieved."


March 16, 2018