MEMBERS of an award-winning student choir reunited for a special anniversary concert.

It is 10 years since Sarah Parsons approached her music teacher at Wyedean School in Sedbury to ask if a gospel choir could be formed.

The teacher, Mrs Pat Allard, told Sarah she could if the then teenager did it herself – but at Saturday night’s special anniversary concert Mrs Allard admitted she didn’t expect anything to come of it but was delighted to have been proved wrong.

Former members of the Wyedean Gospel Choir returned to join the current choir and a live band.

Despite having just a day to prepare, the singer and musicians delighted a large audience at the school.

Ex-leaders of the choir each led for one song and many of them explained how the choir had boosted their confidence and, for the Christians among them, their faith.

Among former leaders was Frances Hamilton who last year led the Revival gospel choir at Nottingham University which won a national universities competition.

Miss Parsons said she pitched the idea for a gospel choir after seeing the film Sister Act 2.

She said: “At that point I didn’t even sing in front of my family.

“I’m proud and touched it built the confidence of so many people over the years but it also did wonders for me.”

Mrs Allard said: “In all my years of teaching, this choir – of all the choirs I’ve worked with – makes me the most proud when I hear it because I cannot believe what you’ve achieved as a student-led body.”

Money raised by the concert will go the scholarship fund of the Chepstow Community Music Centre recently founded by Wyedean music teacher Brian Ellam.

The centre has formed an adult gospel choir under the leadership of former Wyedean Gospel Choir conductor Dan Falber which meets at Chepstow School on Tuesday evenings.