Barnsley Youth Choir, featuring 64 young singers and 13 supporting adults, became double world champions at the World Choir Games in Helsingborg, Sweden, earning gold medals in both the Pop Choir and Gospel Choir categories.
Music Mark reported that the ensemble scored 94.67 out of 100 in the Pop Choir category and 96.00 in the Gospel Choir category, placing first against experienced adult choirs from countries including New Zealand, Indonesia, China and Germany. The competition drew 160 choirs from 40 nations with roughly 8,500 singers participating.
The choir also joined collaborative performances, including a celebration concert with groups from Canada and France, a friendship concert with ensembles from Zimbabwe, China and Germany, and a closing ceremony alongside a 70-piece professional orchestra as part of a 400-singer massed choir.
Following the competition, the organization traveled to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where 280 participants, including children as young as 7, performed nine concerts at Greyfriars Kirk for 2,060 audience members. The performances followed nine months of detailed preparation supported by around 40 volunteers, musicians and technicians.
Artistic Director Mat Wright MBE said the achievements reflect the dedication of the young people and the roughly 100 musicians and volunteers who nurture their potential weekly, crediting community support for making the tour possible.
For more information, visit musicmark.org.uk.