A Huddersfield children’s choir has notched up another triumph – this time at a major international competition in the land of song and home of choral music.
Lindley Junior School’s choir, under the baton of teacher Alison North, won the prestigious Junior Children’s Choir competition at the Llangollen International Music Festival after thrilling the judges with their performance of Winds by Larysa Kuzmenka and Rhythm of Life by Cy Coleman.
The competition, for choirs of no more than 60 voices, 12 years of age and under, saw the choir perform a contrasting programme seven minutes in length and beat off strong competition from a number of Welsh and English choirs.
The Eisteddfod is a major international event which attracts competitors from all over the world as well as top stars such as opera great Bryn Terfel, Dutch jazz dive Caro Emerald and legendary British rockers Status Quo.
Alison North says her charges deserved their success after finishing second at the last two Llangollen International Music Festival events.
She said: “The children worked so hard and we have to thank their parents and guardians for their support too. I knew hay had performed well but you just never know.
“The adjudicators made some very positive comments and when it was announced we had won I just couldn’t believe it. There is no bigger prize than coming first at Llangollen.”
She added: “It’s a major event and a wonderful occasion with competitors coming from all over the world for a week of competitions. The message if one of peace and unity and we are so thrilled to have played a part.”
The choir is a past winner of the Songs Of Praise Junior School Choir of the Year in 2008.
Lindley Junior School Choir was formed in 1997 and has had many wonderful opportunities since. In October 2012, they became 'Children’s Choir of the Year 2012' and progressed to the Grand Final of 'Choir of the year 2012', held in the Royal Festival Hall where they competed against five adult choirs.
The whole experience was televised on BBC4 and broadcast on Radio 3. The choir has appeared at the National Festival for Youth Music on numerous occasions being awarded Highly Commended for their performances twice.
The choir has previously sung at the International Eisteddfod at Llangollen 2011, 2012 and 2013, and their performances in the latter two years have earned them second place in the children’s choir category. The choir won Songs of Praise Choir of the Year in 2008 and reached the semi final stage in 2012. Closer to home, the choir has achieved wonderful results in many local festivals in Huddersfield, Harrogate and Ilkley.
Lindley Junior School were the first school in the country to be awarded the platinum Sing Up status and it was at a performance in Leeds where Howard Goodall, Sing Up Ambassador, handed over the plaque. A flagship school for singing within Kirklees, the choir has been in great demand to showcase singing in West Yorkshire and further afield
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