NEWS FEED
Wimborne St Giles’ First School is celebrating after its choir was chosen to record a backing track for a new single called ‘Is it true what they say about Christmas?’
Written by Mike Barron and sung by his granddaughter Jenny, the track needed more depth to it and when the chairman of East Dorset District Council, Cllr David Shortell, heard a choir was required, he organised a fund-raising event to find one.
MC on the night was Cllr Steve Lugg. A panel of four judges, along with a full capacity audience at the Barrington Theatre in Ferndown, watched choirs perform from six local first schools on 18 October.
The judges, Mike Barron, Jenny Oag, Phil Webster from Forest FM and Janine Pulford the editor of 4Dorset, had a difficult decision, but agreed that Wimborne St Giles’ choir singing ‘Life Is A Wonderful Thing’ was the winner.
Headteacher Philippa Hill said, “The event was such a good idea. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to be on stage. There was great camaraderie between the schools and we would have gone away on a high regardless of the result, but the children are really excited to have won.”
There are 53 pupils Wimborne St Giles First School and 31 were singing in the choir, which was conducted by Philippa.
The mayor and mayoress of Bournemouth supported the event and said they were looking forward to hearing the CD when it was out.
David Shortell said he was extremely pleased with the event, which “ran very smoothly.” He added that the winners will receive the opportunity to go to a recording studio and participate as the backing to Mike Barron’s Christmas song.
All six schools received certificates and the money raised will go to the chairman’s chosen charities: John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation in support of Ferndown Upper School Centre of Excellence and Industrial Liaison and the Multiple Sclerosis Society for Bournemouth and District. The CD will also be raising money for the chairman’s charities.
This post was edited on 20 October 2016
