Double gold joy for choir at world championships

Barnsley's young musicians are celebrating a summer of success after showcasing their talents across Europe.

Barnsley Youth Choir took two gold medals at the World Choir Games in Sweden, while school pupils from the Barnsley Town Concert Band performed a five-day tour across Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.

The choristors won medals in the gospel and pop categories at the 2026 "singing Olympics" in Helsingborg, before heading to Edinburgh to perform at the Scottish capital's Fringe festival.

Choir organisers said: "We are so proud of our young people. We are so grateful and feel so humbled to have competed against such extraordinary choirs from across the world."

The choir has more than 700 members, from toddlers to young adults, and was selected to represent Great Britain at the competition.

The senior choir, aged 14 to 24, took victory in Sweden beating teams from China, Indonesia and New Zealand.

Meanwhile, the Barnsley Town Concert Band took 42 pupils to perform three concerts in mainland Europe in July.

The band works with Barnsley Music Service, in partnership with the South Yorkshire Music Hub, which aims to make musical education for young people in the region as inclusive and accessible as possible.

Andy Cudworth, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Assets at Barnsley Council, said: "It has been a fantastic summer for Barnsley Music Service and I'm incredibly proud of all the young people who have represented our borough so brilliantly.

"These experiences help young people develop new skills and create memories that will stay with them for a lifetime."

In Maastricht, pupils had the opportunity to play on the same stage as the legendary musician André Rieu, who performed later that day.

Barnsley Music Service manager Alex Francis, who accompanied the children on the tour, said: "They get so much more out of it than just the music.

"The confidence that they have is just absolutely brilliant. It brings them so close together."

He also offered congratulations to the Barnsley Youth Choir, describing their win as an "amazing achievement".

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