Gateways choirs in demand

Last Friday, members of the school choirs performed at St Giles church in Pontefract as part of the church’s lunchtime recital season. The choir presented a varied programme of classical and modern pieces, performances from soloists, an original composition by sixth former Ruth Fitton and a selection of songs from Oliver! – the school’s forthcoming musical production – including the favourite ‘Ooom Pah Pah’ to which the audience enthusiastically sang along.

On Saturday evening, the senior choir performed the oratorio Elijah by Mendelssohn in Bradford Cathedral alongside the Bradford Chorale, conducted by Paul Dewhurst, and the Ripon-based Mowbray Orchestra. The cathedral was full and the audience extremely appreciative.

Mr Dutton said: ‘The concerts were a great success and a wonderful experience for the girls to perform in front of sizeable audiences in such impressive venues. Both performances were by invitation which is very pleasing because it is a measure of the choir’s growing reputation.’