Sedbergh Choir Runners-Up at Barnado’s 2024 National Choral Competition

Sedbergh School is absolutely delighted to have been awarded second place at Barnardo’s National Choral Competition, the largest youth choir competition in the UK. 

The competition attracted initial entries from around 350 to 400 schools. From this, an eventual shortlist of just seven choirs (including Sedbergh) were invited to the final round, with just the top two choirs placed. In the end, just one mark separated Sedbergh from the winners in what was a competition of the highest standard, and our Chapel Choir were the highest-placed mixed choir in the competition.

Under the indefatigable and inspirational direction of Mr John Seymour, the choir worked tirelessly over the preceding weeks to prepare their entry, which was performed to five adjudicators. They sang two pieces – the first was one of Mr Seymour’s very own compositions and a choir favourite ‘I will lift up mine eyes. This setting of Psalm 121 was originally composed for the choir’s USA tour in 2019. This was followed by the infectious ‘It don’t mean a thing…’. For these contrasting pieces, the choir needed to work on a wide range of performance skills in addition to mastering the words. Many in the audience remarked that they felt that the choir really involved themselves in the music and truly conveyed the essence of the music. 

With a capacity of over 2000, the hugely impressive Birmingham Symphony Hall was an inspirational venue. In the audience were a large number of Sedbergh parents – excellent supporters of the pupils (and staff!) and to whom we are extremely grateful. 

The school has a rich and long history of singing and choral music, but with this result, and other exciting events to look forward to including a tour to Spain and a workshop with the BBC Singers in the summer term, it is certainly a rich vein of form that we are enjoying right now.