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Pupils at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School were delighted to perform with greatly acclaimed group The Soldiers at their end of term inter-house singing competition this week.
The school choir first met with The Soldiers earlier this year to record a track Farewell Love for their new self-titled album, due to be released on 29 October.
The group’s producers discovered the School Choir by viewing its recording of the Military Wives hit ‘Wherever you are’ on the School’s Youtube Channel.
Steven Beasley, Head of Music who also conducts the choir said “Recording a piece with The Soldiers for the album was an amazing opportunity. Many of the pupils at our school have parents in the forces, and we feel very proud to be included on this album. We were very excited to welcome The Soldiers to perform with us at our school.”
The Soldiers and the School Choir performed Love’s Farewell and a version of Mike and the Mechanics Living in a box for excited pupils and their parents. Ryan Idzi then performed Home by Michael Buble.
Sergeant Major Gary Chilton has enjoyed working with the Choir, he said “Working with the pupils at The Duke of York’s has been truly inspiring. Many of the pupils are from military families, and the school and their friends here give them great support when their parents go on active service. Music is a passion for many of them, and we are delighted to have the school choir feature on this album which will raise funds for our chosen military charities”.
The atmosphere in the school hall was buzzing and two of The Soldiers; Richie Maddocks and Ryan Idzi were invited to judge the inter-house singing competition after their performance.
In regular yearly tradition, each boarding house was tasked with performing two songs, ‘one an anthem that has inspired’ and another freestyle, to compete for the coveted trophy.
Clive House (senior girls) were the winners with their performance of With or Without You by U2, arr by Scala & Kolacny Brothers and Abide with Me.