London: Three St Benedict's singers join National Youth Choir

Toby, Mark and Artie

Three pupils from St Benedict's in west London have been accepted into the National Youth Boys' Choir, following recent auditions attended by hundreds of young singers from all over the UK.

Toby Moore, aged 13, Mark Maalouf, aged 12, and Artie Hair, aged 10 are all choristers in the Ealing Abbey Choir, and sing in several other choirs at St Benedict's. They will attend two National Youth Choir residential courses later this year, joining up to 150 singers of the same age.

There are five NYCGB choirs: the National Youth Choir (for singers from Year 12 upwards), Chamber Choir, Training Choir, Boys' and Girls' choirs. All sing a broad range of challenging music, from traditional choral repertoire to brand-new music. Inspiring conductors and vocal tutors guide singers' vocal progress and develop musicianship. NYCGB performs at venues around the UK, including the Royal Festival Hall, the Royal Albert Hall and Sage Gateshead. Toby, Mark and Artie will be singing with the Boys' choir.

The Director of Music at St Benedict's, Chris Eastwood, said: "I am delighted that Mark, Artie and Toby have been offered places in the National Youth Choir of Great Britain. This is a great testament to their talent and hard work over a number of years. I am sure they will have a wonderful time as part of a world-renowned institution."

Mark said: "It was really great to hear that I'd got in! I'm looking forward to the residential courses." Arthur said: "I didn't expect to get in because people from all over the country auditioned! I'm very pleased to have been accepted."

St Benedict's has a strong choral tradition and pupils aged 7 to 18 sing in the school's many choirs, including the chamber and concert choirs, jazz, opera and barber shop choirs. The school has a long-standing and successful partnership with the highly acclaimed choir VOCES8, who regularly work with St Benedict's singers and give concerts with them at the school.