A HUDDERSFIELD school choir is to take on the world!

The choir, created just six months ago, is to fly the flag for Britain in the World Choir Games.

The All Saints Catholic College choir will compete against the best vocal groups in the world at the event, being held in Austria this July, despite having just a few months of experience.

The 45-strong choir won their place after hitting all the right notes with judges during a concert held at the Royal Albert Hall on Wednesday night.

They came together six months ago as part of a project involving schools with no music provision. Inspired by the popular TV documentary The Choir, The Opal Choir Project aimed to bring music back into education.

The ten schools involved in the project spent months rehearsing with music experts before their big concert, called The Magic of Music, in front of an audience of hundreds and an expert panel of judges.

On the night, hosted by former Blue Peter presenter Diane-Louise Jordan, the choirs got to perform on the same stage as the award-winning trio Tenors Un Limited.

The All Saints choir was named the best choir at the end of the evening, and was one of just two choirs put forward by the judges to compete on the international stage and, potentially, be crowned the best choir in the world.

They will now join the best in the business at the prestigious event, which last year attracted 400 choirs from 80 countries.

Staff at the school, based at Bradley Bar, said they are delighted that the choir has come so far in such a short space of time.

In a joint statement, the school’s two headteachers Liam Harron and Mary Nixon, said: “What an overwhelming experience to see the students win The Opal Choir Project live at the Albert Hall.

“All Saints Catholic College beat off very strong competition to come first and they will now represent the UK and compete on an international stage.

“The hard work, time and effort that has been put in by students, staff and parents has been well rewarded with yet another success for the college.

“Our choir students now look forward to the experience of a lifetime – to meet and compete against choirs from different parts of the world.

“If the winners are dependent upon time, effort and commitment then All Saints should certainly win a gold medal.”

The choir’s trip to the World Games will be fully funded by the Opal Foundation. The project plans to support the progress of the two choirs at the contest and beyond, but hopes to leave a lasting legacy of music within all the schools that took part.

Staff member Andrea Peel saw the choir crowned winners on the night. She said: “It was a wonderful night and the children gave a fantastic performance.

“They’ve only been together for six months, so to see them do so well and then go on to win was fantastic. Everyone– the kids and their families– were just jumping up and down and hugging each other and screaming!

“To go to the World Games will be an amazing experience for them and I know they’re really excited about it.”