Pitch perfect Newhey pupils crowned Primary School Choir of the Year

Monday, 30 June 2025 15:43

By David Murphy

Pupils of Newhey Primary School celebrate win

Coldplay meets musical theatre in spectacular school choir showdown.

Pupils from Newhey Community Primary School have been crowned Rochdale’s first ever Primary School Choir of the Year following a fiercely contested competition hosted by Rochdale Music Service.

The borough-wide challenge saw schools submit recorded entries, with eight shortlisted for a live final held at St Mary’s in the Baum Church on Friday 27 June. Choir sizes ranged from nine to 75 pupils, each group performing to a live audience and an adjudicator panel led by Andrew White, recently retired head of Blackpool Music Service.

Newhey’s winning performance featured a musical interpretation of Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’ and a dramatic rendition of ‘It’s The Hard Knock Life’ from Annie. The choir earned first place, securing a trophy and certificate for their efforts.

Michelle Gardiner, year six teacher and co-leader of Newhey’s Glee Club, said:
“Wow, wow, wow, we are over the moon. We thought a couple of the other schools may have pipped us to it with their vocal talents but with our performance and the children we have this year, they were extraordinary.
“You just have to see their faces, they actually weren’t expecting it which I find very humble, and that’s what Newhey is, very, very humble.”

Michelle said pupils from years five and six spent over three weeks preparing, with daily rehearsals in the lead-up to the event.

St Michael’s C of E Primary School finished in second place, with St Thomas C of E and Cross Gates Primary School sharing third.

Councillor Rachel Massey, portfolio holder for children’s services and education, praised the event:
“Our borough is immensely talented and our primary school choirs are the latest fantastic examples of the amazing skills and abilities boasted by our children and young people.

“School choirs are an incredible gateway for future creative opportunities. Congratulations to Newhey Community Primary School, this event has been a resounding success.”

As part of their prize, Newhey’s choir will perform at Rochdale Music Service’s Summer Sizzler concert on Sunday 13 July at Middleton Arena. Tickets start from £5 and are available via YourTrust.