York Minster carol concert for Hope

A newly-formed Community Choir played a leading role in Manor CE Academy’s annual carol service at York Minster this week.

Staff, parents, grandparents, neighbours and friends from the six Hope Sentamu Learning Trust York schools (Manor CE Academy, Vale of York Academy, Barlby High School, Burton Green Primary, Poppleton Ousebank Primary and Forest of Galtres Anglican Methodist Primary) joined together to form the Hope Community Choir.

Poppy Davies, aged six, and her sister Scarlett, eight, were the youngest members of the ninety-strong choir which performed together for the first time at the service on the evening of Tuesday 5 December, giving a beautiful performance of O Holy Night, accompanied by the Manor Concert Orchestra.

Dave Lowe, Choirmaster and Head of Music at Manor CE Academy, said “Our carol concert in the Minster is always incredible, but this year we wanted to do something really special to involve the entire Hope family. The choir provided an opportunity for people within the Hope Sentamu Learning Trust to get together at a really important time of year, meet others from our wider community and enjoy the magnificent experience of singing together in the Minster at Christmas-time.

“I think they did a great job! It has been a privilege to meet so many lovely people from all over our region and a unique experience to perform all together in one of the UK’s most stunning cathedrals.”

In addition to the Hope Community Choir, Year 6 students from the Hope Sentamu Learning Trust Primary Schools also performed as a choir for the event, contributing to a massed choir of over 250 people.

The carol service featured several new arrangements by Dave Lowe for the choirs and concert orchestra. There were many musical highlights including beautiful multi-part choral music from Manor’s Voices Choir and a stunning processional performed by violinist Oscar March who is in Year 10 at Manor CE Academy.

Watch the video of the event here…