FROM helping to give the Lindisfarne Gospels the musical send off they deserve, to delighting friends and family at regular concerts, Durham Cathedral Young Singers have never sounded so good. Lizzie Anderson reports.

It is Saturday morning and the harmonious voices of young children are reverberating around Durham Chorister School. Durham Cathedral Young Singers’ (DCYS) weekly rehearsal is in full swing and anyone passing by is just as likely to hear classic Beatles songs, as they are hymns and choral music. DCYS is divided into two groups; the Training Choir, which is predominantly made up of youngsters aged eight to ten, and the Chamber Choir for ten to 12-year-olds. Together the choirs attract more than 40 youngsters and are two of the four youth singing groups set up as part of Durham Cathedral’s musical outreach programme.

Earlier this year, DCYS gained regional acclaim when they performed at a celebrated concert to mark the opening of the Lindisfarne Gospels Exhibition at Palace Green Library in Durham City. The young singers performed with confidence in the cloisters of Durham Cathedral, despite being in front of television cameras and an audience of dignitaries, including the world renowned opera singer Sir Thomas Allen. Sir Thomas, who is the chancellor of Durham University, joined in the rapturous applause at the end of their recital.

And, over the weekend, members of the youth choir stepped into the spotlight again when they took part in an ambitious performance of Will Todd’s Saint Cuthbert Oratorio at Durham Cathedral. The concert, which brought together opera singers, Orchestra North-East, the Lindisfarne Gospels Community Choir, Durham Cathedral Choir and many other talented musicians, was organised to mark the end of the medieval manuscript’s stay in the North-East.

DCYS leader Mish Kelly, director of musical outreach at Durham University, said the gospels project had been an unforgettable experience for the youngsters but was just one of the exciting opportunities and benefits of being a choir member.

It is hardly surprising that membership has rocketed in recent years.

“It went through the roof last year,” says Ms Kelly, who directed numerous amateur choirs in the South East before moving to Durham five years ago.

“I think word is spreading about who we are and what we do, which is fantastic. The children who come tell their friends about how fun it is and then the friends want to come too.

“We have girls and boys coming along and, although there are less boys, they make just as much noise as the girls.

“They especially like songs about sport.”

Last year, Ms Kelly launched a choir for younger children called DCYS Minstrels, which is run by her colleagues Simon Lee and Claire Crimson on a Saturday morning and caters for youngsters aged five to seven.

There is also a choir for older children, aged 12 to 15, called Vox, which meets between 7pm and 8.30pm on a Wednesday evening.

At their weekly rehearsals the children sing a variety of songs and play musical games to improve their sight reading ability. They also give two concerts per term to friends and family.

Ms Kelly and her team are passionate about music and the benefits it brings to children.

“Singing teaches children to listen and to focus, while the musical games we play help with social interaction,” explains Ms Kelly.

“I also believe singing can help with academic subjects. There are studies that show that children in choirs are more successful at language acquisition and are more calm and collected.

“The discipline of singing together and singing in parts requires a lot of concentration.

"It is generally thought children are unable to sing in parts, as they always want to sing the tune.

“However, we have groups of eight and nine-year-olds singing in three parts. It is a very proud moment when you achieve this and you hear them singing together in harmony.”

There is also evidence that singing can benefit babies and toddlers and, after organising a pilot scheme this summer, Ms Kelly plans to introduce a class for infants as young as one and their parents.

The class will be held in the Durham area at a time and location to be confirmed.

“During the pilot session we had three-year-olds concentration for an hour, with 20 adults sat around the edge of the room staring at them,” she explains.

“In the first few sessions, the mums did all the singing but gradually they took over. By the end, we had toddlers singing back when they were sung to.

“They were finding their voice. It was amazing.”

For more information about DCYS or the other choirs contact Ms Kelly at musicoutreach@durhamcathedral.co.uk

New members are always welcome.