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The Key Stage 2 choir at St Hugh of Lincoln Catholic Primary School in Woking won the Under-11 School Choirs category at Woking Music Festival on Tuesday 11 November. The choir, St Hugh’s Choristers, achieved the award by staying focused, learning songs off by heart - and managing all of this while enjoying themselves, and showing that joy on stage.

St Hugh’s is part of the diocesan Schools Singing Programme (SSP) which aims to enrich music provision across participating diocesan schools by offering world-class, inclusive music programmes which transform students’ musical education. Surrey Choral Director, Fraser Ellson, has been working with children from St Hugh’s for 18 months, highlighting the significant amount of work that went into the festival, he said:

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“St Hugh’s Choristers started with Kookaburra (Sits in the Old Gum Tree), a well-known Australian song. It has a simple melody that you can sing in a round; we managed to get four different groups singing at the same time, which was very impressive. The delight evident on the children’s faces was a brilliant sight, and one that, no doubt, helped us towards our victory.

“The next song was Ain’t That Good News! - a spiritual from America. The piece was entirely new to the choir, and the School Singing Programme the Diocese. It is a song that celebrates the love of Jesus and the wonder of heaven, centred on the idea that Christ is our home and our safety. The children had to tackle singing in harmony while delivering a number of percussive stomps and claps halfway through!”

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Headteacher, Catherine Grace said:

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“The choir performed their two pieces to a panel of judges and a large audience. Their performance was awarded ‘Honours’, signifying an excellent standard that showcased technical and artistic skills, along with emerging individuality. The choirs’ singing was filled with joy and spirit - they made us all incredibly proud! We would like to thank Fraser for his dedication throughout the autumn term in preparing our talented choristers.”

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Fraser added:

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“I am delighted that the choir won the “Under-11 School Choirs” category at the festival. They sang to a very high standard and were brilliantly behaved, genuinely supporting the other schools taking part. Watching the children’s faces ‘light up’ as they realised they had won, has been a highlight of my career.”