On a miserable, wet, Tuesday 10th November, over 560 pupils and their parents set off for a memorable visit to London to perform at the Royal Albert Hall. The day was to be the culmination of a year’s preparation for Music for Youth Schools’ Proms. Wakefield had been invited to perform the Massed Choir Event at the largest youth music festival in the world!

Wakefield Massed Choir consisting of children from 11 primary schools sang a shortened version of the musical ‘Sun in Splendour’ written by Alan Simmons and originally premiered in 2007. The work had originally been commissioned using funding from the Independent State School Partnership. The schools that took part in the performance were Dane Royd, Hendal J&I, Jerry Clay Lane, Lofthouse Gate, Methodist, Newton Hill, QEGS Junior, Sandal Magna, Sandal Endowed, St James and Wakefield Girls High School Junior school.

The musical began at Sandal Castle and told the story of the Battle of Wakefield. Members of Wakefield Cathedral Academy of Performing Arts and Momentum provided an exciting visual dimension to the work. The band were made up from students from Wakefield Grammar School Foundation

The evening was a huge success with a packed audience of parents, relatives, Mayors, Councillors and MP’s from all over the country. The audience’s response to the Sun in Splendour was overwhelming with almost deafening cheers and applause! Music Adviser, Geraldine Gaunt who coordinated the project said it was definitely one of the highlights of her career.

Some of the schools taking part commented:

‘It was a wonderful experience for them and one that I am sure they will remember for the rest of their lives. They were still buzzing from it well past Watford Gap!’

‘We've all had a tremendous two days in London and, although very tired today; everyone is still buzzing from the adrenalin rush of performing at the Royal Albert Hall.’

‘A large number of our parents were able to get to the concert and the feedback from them has been brilliant.’

‘It was an absolute triumph. The organisation was impeccable and the performance will go down as one of those special experiences that music delivers once in a while.'