by Graham Tutthill

gtutthill@thekmgroup.co.uk

Students at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School had some special guests for their annual inter-house singing competition this week, The Soldiers.

The school choir had recorded a track for the widely-acclaimed group’s new album which is being released on Monday.

The Soldiers, Sgt Major Gary Chilton, Colour Sergeant Richie Maddocks and Lance Corporal Ryan Idzi, met the choir earlier this year to record the track Farewell Love.

The group’s producers discovered the choir by viewing its recording of the Military Wives hit Wherever You Are on the school’s YouTube Channel.

Steven Beasley, head of music who also conducts the choir, said: “Recording a piece with The Soldiers for the album was an amazing opportunity. Many of the pupils at our school have parents in the forces, and we feel very proud to be included on this album.

“We were very excited to welcome The Soldiers to perform with us at our school.”

The Soldiers and the school choir performed Love’s Farewell and a version of Mike and the Mechanics’ Living Years. Ryan Idzi also performed Home by Michael Buble.

Gary Chilton said he enjoyed singing with the choir. “Working with the pupils at The Duke of York’s has been truly inspiring,” he said.

The senior girls of Clive House were the winners of the competition.

On Monday, the choir sang with The Soldiers again, this time on the Lorraine Show on television.

Full story in this week's Dover Mercury.

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