Following in the footsteps of Senior Choral who won the competition in 2018, this year it was the turn of the Polyphonix choir to take part and they were delighted to reach the finals of the competition. They took their place on stage as one of only eight choirs selected in the senior age category to sing their two chosen competition pieces. Following their performance, Polyphonix took part in a concert with the other 25 choirs taking part in the competition culminating in a massed choir item.

It was a fiercely-contested competition but Polyphonix gave a sublime performance of ‘The Lord is My Shepherd’ by the composer, Will Todd and ‘On My Own’ from Les Misérables and were crowned ‘Barnardo’s Senior Choir of the Year 2019’. This makes it a double celebration as Polyphonix, a non-auditioned choir open to all girls in the Lower Fifth, Upper Fifth and Sixth Form, is also celebrating its 100th year in 2019 having been established at Downe House School in 1919

Director of Music, Dr Charlotte Exon said, “We couldn’t be more thrilled and delighted that for two years in a row, our choirs have won the Barnardo’s Choral Competition and been crowned ‘Senior Choir of the Year 2019’. Polyphonix really did deliver a breathtakingly exceptional and professional performance on the day and we are all very proud of them.”

As the competition winner, Polyphonix will be invited to sing a song, specially composed by conductor and composer, Douglas Coombes MBE at the Barnardo’s Young Supporters’ Concert at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall later in the year. As the winning choir in 2018, Senior Choral performed at the Royal Albert Hall, a truly unique and unforgettable experience for all the girls in the choir.