A NEW community choir played a leading role in Manor CE Academy’s annual carol service at York Minster.

Staff, parents, grandparents, neighbours and friends from the six Hope Learning Trust York schools joined together to form the Hope Community Choir.

Poppy Davies, aged six, and her sister Scarlett, eight, were the youngest members of the ninety-strong choir which performed together for the first time at the service, giving a beautiful performance of O Holy Night, accompanied by the Manor Concert Orchestra.

Dave Lowe, choirmaster and head of music at Manor CE Academy, said “The choir provided an opportunity for people within the Hope Learning Trust to get together at a really important time of year, meet others from our wider community and enjoy the magnificent experience of singing together in the Minster at Christmas-time.

“I think they did a great job! It has been a privilege to meet so many lovely people from all over our region."

The carol service featured several new arrangements by Dave Lowe for the 250-strong massed choirs and concert orchestra. There were many musical highlights including beautiful multi-part choral music from Manor's Voices Choir and a stunning processional performed by violinist Oscar March who is in Year 10 at Manor CE Academy.

The schools are Manor CE Academy, Vale of York Academy, Barlby High School, Burton Green Primary, Poppleton Ousebank Primary and Forest of Galtres Anglican Methodist Primary.