Taunton School pupils qualify for National Choir of the Year finals for second year running

Singers from Taunton Prep School have qualified for the Barnardo’s National Choir of the Year competition for the second year running.

34 pupils in Years 6 and 7 impressed the judges with renditions of “J’Entends le Moulin” and “O Holy Night” to qualify for the finals, which are set to take place at the Birmingham Symphony Hall in March.

Philippa Simmonds, Director of Music & Performing Arts, expressed immense pride in the Singers, stating: “Singing is a part of the fabric of Taunton Prep School, and every child can, and is encouraged, to sing in one of our school Choirs.

“This academic year the standard of singing has been exceptional. The pupils rehearse twice weekly, in addition to their usual Choir practices, and perform regularly in concerts, competitions, and other events. It is a joy to conduct them at each rehearsal, and I am delighted that they are able to once again experience the magic of singing in the Symphony Hall.”

Barnardo’s National Choir of the Year competition is the largest of its kind for school and community choirs in the UK and has been running for more than 17 years.

Pupils are now busy preparing and rehearsing for their performances at the finals, where they hope to triumph against 15 other schools from across the UK and Ireland.

Taunton Prep School gives children in Years 6 and 7 the opportunity to audition for the School choir, named Taunton Prep School Singers, or TPS Singers affectionately. This helps pupils to understand the inner workings of a professional choir and the process it takes to join one, and is part of the School’s exceptional music provision.

Find out more about Taunton Prep School by visiting https://www.tauntonschool.co.uk/schools/prep/