A CHOIR of more than 200 students from across North Yorkshire joined together at Ampleforth College to perform choruses from George Frederick Handel’s oratorio Messiah including the famous Hallelujah Chorus.

Ampleforth College hosted the choral day for its students along with ten visiting schools; Ryedale School, Lady Lumley’s School, The Mount School, Easingwold School, Harrogate Ladies’ College, All Saint’s School, St Peter’s School, Norton College, Terrington Hall and York Minster School.

The rehearsals were led by renowned choral director Ralph Allwood and singing teacher and vocal coach Anita Morrison, both of whom travelled up from London for the day.

The occasion proved to be a huge success and all the students engaged in the music-making so successfully that, in the end, the programme for the day was extended to include more music than originally planned.

By kind permission of the Abbot of Ampleforth Abbey the day culminated in an impressive performance in the Abbey Church which was enjoyed by many parents and visitors.

The day was organised by Chris Potts, music teacher at Ampleforth College, who said: “It was remarkable to see how much the students could achieve in just one day’s time and a joy to see so many young and talented people enjoying choral music.”