Congratulations were due twice in five days to a school choir from Ross-on-Wye. Larks Choir from Gorsley Goffs Primary School entered the Junior Choir category of the Herefordshire Arts Festival, and competed against nine other primary school choirs to win.

They scored the highest marks in both halves of the category, receiving the Strathallan Cup for their moving renditions of ‘Dona Nobis Pacem’ (Grant Us Peace) and Bob Chilcott’s ‘Can You Hear Me?’.

The adjudicator praised their ‘confident part singing, solo and lovely little trio’ in the first piece, and the ‘expressive dynamics’ and ‘musical and varied performance’ of the second.

Larks also visited the Weeping Window exhibition at Hereford Cathedral that afternoon where their impromptu performance of Dona Nobis Pacem delighted the public and stewards alike.

Larks were invited to perform at the Festival’s Gala Concert on Saturday, March 24th at The Courtyard Theatre, and again rose to the occasion. They were presented with the ‘Junior Choir of the Year Award’ and £50 to support their musical activity.

Larks are conducted by Gorsley’s music teacher, Mrs Bev Abbott, and accompanied on piano by Mrs Iona Harris. Mrs Abbott thanked the children for their dedication and hard work, and their parents and carers for their overwhelming support.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now