MORE than 200 youngsters from across North Yorkshire raised the musical roof at a special choral day held at Ampleforth College, near Helmsley.

College students together with pupils from ten other schools rehearsed and performed choruses from Handel’s Messiah including the famous Hallelujah Chorus.

The rehearsals were led by renowned choral director Ralph Allwood and singing teacher and vocal coach Anita Morrison, both of whom travelled up from London for the day.

They ran masterclasses throughout the morning and afternoon to prepare the students for their performance at the end of the day in the Abbey Church, in front of parents and visitors.

The day was organised by music teacher Chris Potts, who said: “It was remarkable to see how much the students could achieve in just one day’s time and a joy to see so many young and talented people enjoying choral music.”

The occasion proved to be such a success that the programme for the day was extended to include more music than originally planned.