SINGERS' SUCCESS

Our choir of 50 children made it through to the final of the Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year competition 2008.



Over 8000 children took part in the original entries to the national competition with 173 choirs from across the U.K. entering the Junior category.  Of these, just 6 Junior School choirs were selected as semi-finalists and took part in a BBC workshop where they were filmed performing a gospel song and hymn. 

Impressed by the video of our singers’ performance, a panel of judges chose our choir as one of the 3 Junior School finalists.  
Together with choirs from Lindley Junior School and Putney High School Junior Department, the Heath Mount Songs of Praise choir visited Manchester, along with the 3 Senior School choirs, and performed in the final and a gala concert at Gorton Monastery.  

The judges were impressed by our choir, describing all the finalists as 'world class'.

Lesley Garrett: I loved their choice of repertoire, particularly their first song which had great rhythmic vitality - and they really rose to it.

Bazil Meade:This felt very well organised. It was thrilling to see children standing together looking so obviously enjoying it. The sound was very warm and subtle and careful.

Howard Goodall:Well rehearsed and prepared without seeming too over-rehearsed. Sometimes choirs can sound as if they are over-drilled, but I didn’t feel that here. They also proved you can sing two items without a break perfectly in tune.

To find out more about the competition see: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/programmes/songsofpraise/events/school_choirs/