FIFTY schoolchildren raised the roof at a charity fundraising concert to commemorate the centenary of the First World War's Armistice.

The concert was a sell-out charity event, and raised £2,000 for the Worcestershire branch of SSAFA, The Royal British Legion and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.

On Saturday, November 10, at Worcester Cathedral, Voices of Remembrance was the finale of a partnership project between Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra, Worcester Cathedral and Worcestershire’s Rivers CE Academy Trust schools.

St Clement’s C E Primary School, in Henwick Road, Cranham Primary School, in Tetbury Drive, and Northwick Manor Primary School, in Northwick Road, were among the schools that took part and sang their hearts out at the concert.

Worcestershire Ambassadors sponsored the event.

The first half of the concert involved Hymn to the Fallen by John Williams, from the film Saving Private Ryan.

A Shropshire Lad by George Butterworth was followed by Remember Them, which contained poems written by children and composed by Laura Rossi, who attended the event.

Ms Rossi’s Voices of Remembrance, an orchestral and choral work, filled the second half of the production.

The piece featured historical readings of World War One poetry.

BBC Hereford and Worcester presenter Tammy Gooding narrated the poems, which included works by Wilfred Owen and Rupert Brooke.

Paul West, organiser of the event said: “The concert was a memorable occasion and everyone involved in the planning and organisation of the event was delighted with the outcome.

“The children were the stars of the show.

"None of them had sung in public before but they raised the cathedral roof, demonstrating with passion to an audience of almost 500 how they will Remember Them.”

Keith Slade, Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra musical director said: “This very moving concert brought all corners of the Worcestershire community together.

"All performers sang, played and read their hearts out in a truly special evening, it was a humbling experience.”

Kate Brunt, chief executive of the Rivers C of E Academy Trust, added: “It was amazing to watch children from nine different schools rehearse and gel together and perform to such a high standard.

"Many pupils said they will remember the evening for the rest of their lives.”