THE voices of children from Worcestershire will dominate a landmark concert to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.

About 300 students from the county will form the backbone of a choir of more than 600 youngsters from the UK and Europe as Sing UK, the not-for-profit singing organisation, brings together the specially formed Centenary Chorus to perform the Armed Man by Karl Jenkins at The Royal Albert Hall.

Pupils aged 13 to 18 from Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre, Christopher Whitehead Language College, the Chase School, Dyson Perrins CE Academy, King Charles I School and VI Form Centre, Nunnery Wood High School, Pershore High School, Prince Henry’s High School, South Bromsgrove High School and Tudor Grange Academy will take part on Sunday, September 28.

They will perform with the Philharmonia Orchestra and four international soloists, while the programme will include Beethoven’s 5th Symphony and will be conducted by Sing UK’s Artistic Director, Malcolm Goldring.

Malcolm said: "When we offered a workshop to the local schools taking part in this fantastic project, we thought we might get a few students coming along. We were astonished when 170 turned up, raring to go.

"The sound of these young voices was so uplifting. So fresh and focused. It is going to be really exciting working with them over the coming months as we build towards the concert in London’s Royal Albert Hall in September."

Fiona McCanlis, music teacher at Christopher Whitehead Language College, said: "This is my fourth year of organising a Sing UK project within our school and I am so pleased that the students are given this opportunity during their school life.

"Malcolm Goldring is a fantastic conductor and really connects with the singers and inspires them with the incredible repertoire that we sing. This year I have some students taking part who have never sung in a choir before so I know the experience will be truly rewarding for them and it will be something that they will never forget."

The project is part of the Imperial War Museum’s Centenary Partnership to connect current and future generations with the lives, stories and impact of the First World War.

Sing UK staged the Worcester International Festival for Young Singers last year, with 11 choirs from 10 nations performing in Worcestershire.

For more information, go tosinguk.org.