HUNDREDS of children from across York sang together in the York Schools Choral Festival.

More than 400 children from ten schools gathered in Central Hall at the University of York for a performance that aimed to be inspirational and aspirational.

The event, in its second year, more than doubled the number of last year’s participants. It also included performances from University of York students. Tadcaster Grammar School took part, representing the secondary-school sector in an event that was dominated by primary schools.

Molly Newton a music teacher and vocal specialist who has worked in York for many years and currently teaches at Heworth and Hempland schools, led the event.

She said: “The primaries look up to the secondary schools, they in turn look up to the students. All the children watch each other’s performances and that gives an aspirational element. All the schools involved had something really different to offer. Some had props and dance moves and one school finished with two girls doing the splits.”

Each school brought their own song to perform, before the festival ended with all children and staff singing Lovely Day.

Ms Newton said: “A very apt song I felt, as we did all have a very, very lovely day.”