MORE than 200 pupils from Darlington and the Durham Dales celebrated the joys of music with a special concert at Durham Cathedral today (Wednesday, June 18).

The event was the culmination of a term’s work with Durham Cathedral’s Music Outreach programme.

Each school term, the cathedral choristers and Mish Kelly, the cathedral’s director of Music Outreach, visit and work with primary schools from across the region to train them and their teachers in 45 minutes of song.

Over the last six weeks, the children memorised eight songs, many of them with harmony parts.

Led by Ms Kelly and James Lancelot, master of the choristers and organist, the massed choir performed with the boy choristers of the cathedral.

Ms Kelly said: “Music is one of those activities that unites us all, young and old.

“Children's voices have an extra purity and strength; the innocence with which they sing often complex sentiments in the music can give a musical phrase extra meaning.”

"The pieces of music we chose to sing all presented different challenges.”

Schools participating in this term’s concert include Green Lane Church of England Primary, Barnard Castle; Hamsterley Primary; Middleton-in-Teesdale Primary; Mowden Federation Primary, Darlington; Toft Hill Primary and Cockfield Primary.

To find out more about Durham Cathedral’s Music Outreach programme visit www.durhamcathedral.co.uk or contact musicoutreach@durhamcathedral.co.uk