Choir on song to lift title

Triumphant . . . the Saddleworth Male Voice Choir with the trophy

SADDLEWORTH Male Voice Choir was in fine voice as it emerged victorious at a prestigious competition.

A rousing performance of The Soldier’s Chorus saw the local group take home the first prize from the Don Valley Festival of Music and Drama.

The well-established group managed to stave off competition from five choirs from Yorkshire and Derbyshire during the grand finale in Sheffield.

The choir won £300, a trophy, a barrel of beer and a brewery tour from the festival sponsors, Elland Brewery.

Judges heaped praise on the choir’s performance, while musical director Damian Cunningham and accompanist Scott Woolfenden put on a short concert of music chosen by last year’s winners.