Service celebrates decade of girls' voices

A special service is being held at St Asaph Cathedral to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Girls' Choir.

Organist and Master of the Choristers Alan McGuinness established the Girls' Choir in 2003 to offer girls the same opportunities to sing as boys.

The Girls' Choir currently has choristers from eight different schools between the ages of eight and 16.

In the decade since the choir's formation, the girls have appeared on the BBC's Songs of Praise and two CD recordings.

They have appeared in concert alongside The King's Singers and have sung for the Prince of Wales, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke of Kent.

The service of celebration is being held exactly 10 years to the day since the choir's first performance in St Asaph Cathedral.

Mr McGuinness said it had been exciting to establish a new choir and watch its evolution as voices grew in confidence.

"It's great to have the two individual groups – the boys and the girls – when they sing together for the major services, vocally they complement each other so well, but they also maintain their own identities," he said.

"The two choirs have allowed us to increase our repertoire of music at St Asaph Cathedral."

The Dean of St Asaph Cathedral the Very Reverend Nigel Williams added: "The Girls' Choir are an integral part of the life of the Cathedral and the contribution that they have made over the last 10 years is a true cause for celebration.

"I am very much looking forward to the Choir continuing to develop and continuing to enhance the worship here."