MORE than 450 children from 22 schools turned out for an afternoon of workshops and rehearsals at Wellington School, before performing a dazzling array of juke box classics to a thrilled audience of 1,000-plus people.

Star soloists for the performance were found after rehearsals and a sing-off, and in the evening parents, grandparents, friends and relatives poured into the school’s packed sports hall to hear the concert, complete with a professional band and three conductors.

Ros Shaw, from Wellington School, who masterminded the whole event – and appeared as pop icon Dusty Springfield to conduct – said: “All the pupils had learned the songs in their schools with the help of their music teachers, and my colleagues and I have been into all the schools to work with them. When they finally came together on Friday, the sound was electrifying – such an exciting moment.”

Songs included Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Angels, Budapest, Brown-eyed Girl and a resounding rendition of Living on a Prayer.

“Each school had auditioned a boy and girl for the solos, so there was a tense and nail-biting blind The Voice-style sing-off for each role,” Ros added. “The winners performed the roles in the concert that evening. It was tremendously exciting to have such an array of fantastic singers from so many schools coming along – there is some serious talent around and we feel privileged to have been able to showcase some of it.

"My thanks must go to all the primary music teachers who have worked so hard with their children to make this happen.”

The schools which took part were: Awliscombe, Bishops Nympton, Blackbrook, Burlescombe, Chard, Cotford St Luke, Culmstock, Curry Mallet, Dulverton, East Anstey, Hemyock, Holy Trinity, Kentisbeare, Lyngford Park, Nether Stowey, North Petherton, Norton Fitzwarren, Plymtree, Sampford Arundel, St John’s, Webbers and Wellington Prep.