Sunderland school choir set for date at top London venue

The East Herrington Primary Academy Choir has reached the finals of the Barnardo’s School Choir of the Year 2016 competition.

The young performers will be heading to London next week where the event will be held at the Royal Festival Hall on Tuesday.

Sarah Chapman, business manager at the Balmoral Terrace school, said being chosen is a huge honour for the choir and music teacher, Nicola Hair.

Ms Chapman said: “The children are very excited about the competition and are planning to hold a cake sale in school ,to raise money towards the cost of the coach journey to London.

“As a school we are extremely proud of our pupils’ achievement and we hope that this will be an experience that the children will never forget.

“As the only school in the North East to have reached the finals we are looking forward to flying the flag for Sunderland.”

East Herrington Primary Academy Choir will be one of only a handful of state-funded schools competing against 18 junior choir finalists from across the UK and Ireland, to become Barnardo’s School Choir of the Year 2016.

The winner will be invited to sing at an upcoming Barnardo’s Young Supporters’ Concert.

Ms Chapman, said: “Our pupils love to sing and it is the backing of the North East community that has given them the confidence to enter this national competition.”

The choir regularly takes part in community events, such as Sunderland Concert of Remembrance and charity singing in The Bridges.