School community comes together for Christmas choral celebration

Our whole school community shared in a joyful and uplifting carol service, where students excelled in exquisite musical performances. Our photo gallery gives just a glimpse of all the hard work pupils put into rehearsing for the event, alongside images of a packed Ripon Cathedral during the very special evening

STUDENTS, parents, governors, staff and members of the wider community joined together in Ripon Cathedral for our annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.

Talented musicians and singers from the school's choirs and brass ensemble performed to a congregation of more than 800 people in the magnificent setting of the city's ancient church, which has a history stretching back almost 14 centuries.

Director of Music Michael Barker, who joined the school in September, praised the students for all the hard work they had put into their performances: "A huge well done and congratulations to everyone who took part this evening. It was a triumph, he said.

"Thank you for making my first Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols so great and memorable. Everyone played and sang superbly. And an extra special mention to Zara Ali and Susie Barker for their solos, which were beautiful and angelic"

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Rev John Dobson DL, said: 'This service is being led by some extremely talented young musicians and in that we rejoice."

He described it as a wonderful carol service: "Thoroughly enjoyable - many thanks to all those who took part."