Barnton pupils to share the stage with Russell Watson

The children are members of the choir at Barnton Community Primary School, which has been invited to perform at Liverpool Cathedral next month.

The cathedral is playing host on Saturday, December 13 to A Candlelit Christmas Concert with Russell Watson, which forms part of Russell’s Christmas tour of cathedrals across the country, including St Paul’s in London.

The choir’s conductor is Cath Shaw, who teaches at the primary school and is one of the conductors of Frodsham-based chamber choir, Cantoris.

Cantoris will also be performing at the festive show, with the chamber and school choirs having their own solo spots as well as singing alongside Russell.

Cantoris was invited to perform at the cathedral, and Barnton Primary School became involved after the chamber choir learned that the organisers of the Christmas concert wanted to feature a school choir.

“The children are absolutely delighted to be taking part in the concert,” said Cath, who is a class teacher at the school as well as being a specialist music teacher.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for them, and will be the biggest audience they have performed for, with the cathedral being able to accommodate 1,000 people.

“They are looking forward to the whole spectacle of the event and sharing a stage with a major star in front of a large audience.

“It will be the biggest thing we have ever done, and it will be a very special occasion.”

The 60-strong school choir ranges in age from four to 11, and the children are busy rehearsing traditional carols for the major concert.

Cath has experience of conducting in front of a large audience, having led Cantoris in a performance at Chester Cathedral.

Barnton school is hoping for success in the BBC One Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year competition.

It is the first time the school has taken part in the competition, and has entered two pieces for the contest, a traditional hymn and a sacred number, which it recorded onto a CD.