A MONMOUTHSHIRE choir of boys was one of seven school choirs from around the UK to perform in a concert in London.

Singers at The Grange, who are taught using the progressive Kodály method, showcased the results of their hard work at the Kodály Celebration Concert to mark the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian composer’s death on March 6.

Zoltan Kodály set up a systematic approach to music education where learning comes first through playful singing activity and later through conscious thought processes, through the use of hand signs and singing names.

The 38 Grange boys were said to have “thoroughly impressed the audience”, and their music teacher, Joe Walton, was delighted to receive a letter of thanks from Margaret Oliver, the charity’s Chair of Trustees.

Ms Oliver said: “Words seem an inadequate way of conveying to you the pleasure and gratitude of the Trustees, for your wonderful contribution to the Kodály Celebration Concert.

“Your choir sang beautifully. It was an amazing evening and it was very moving to see and hear a gathering of children of such mixed ages, from different educational backgrounds, joining together to make music of such high quality - reinforcing and demonstrating our belief in the value of singing.

“We hope that they were all inspired by being the song makers, and that their experience will remain with them into the future and for the rest of their lives.”

The Kodály Approach provides tools to develop fundamentals such as pulse, inner hearing, good tuning and sight reading ability.

Mr Walton added: “The boys sang beautifully at the concert – it was a very proud moment.”