Students join school choirs to sing out for hospice cash

Around 40 singers from Whitworth Community High School helped to raise £3,500 for Rossendale Hospice.

The school’s choir joined primary pupils and secondary school students at the Hearts and Voices concert at Blackburn Cathedral.

Opera singer Sean Ruane also performed and musical accompaniment was provided by 2nd Rossendale Scout Group Band.

In front of an audience of around 300, the students sang Bear Necessities, with Jack Myatt performing a solo on the tongue-twisting section, Wings by Birdie and a number of other songs with the combined choirs.

Isabella Taylor, 11, said: “It was a fun experience to be singing in front of such a large crowd. At first I was worried because I didn’t think that many people would come.

“We were standing right in front of the microphone and I could hear my voice echoing back at me.”

The choir had been rehearsing since January on Tuesday lunchtimes with extra rehearsals up to the performance date.

Samer Qureshi, 14, said: “Sean came into school a couple of times to practise with us and make sure our vocals were right.”

Jasmine Clayton, 14, is no stranger to performing on stage, but usually when she is dancing the stage lights obscure the audience.

She said: “You could see everybody and that made it more scary, however everyone enjoyed it.

“I have singing lessons and joined the choir because people said I had a nice voice; I like singing.”

Playing in the Scout Band were Whitworth’s IT technician George Hanson and students Sam Booth and Josh Dunning.

Fundraising Manager at Rossendale Hospice Sam Morris said: “The confidence the children gain from this experience is invaluable and the result was evident in their amazing performance which wowed the whole cathedral.

“The schools are delighted to be involved in something so special which also benefits the Hospice but without our sponsors Winfields, Cassons, Fred Hamers Funeral Services, Haydens Solicitors, Musbury Fabrics, Tony Quinn Accountants and Professional Remediation this would not be possible.”