Chapel Choir Named National Finalist for Third Consecutive Year
The Harrogate Ladies’ College (Duchy College from September 2026) Chapel Choir will be Yorkshire’s lone representative at the 2026 Barnardo’s National Choir Competition, having secured a third consecutive appearance at the prestigious Grand Final.
Twenty-four members of the school’s Chapel Choir, which is made up of pupils from Years 10 to 13, will sing at the largest school choir competition in the UK at the Birmingham Symphony Hall on Tuesday 3 March.
After finishing runners-up in 2017, a third consecutive appearance in the Grand Final is testament to the choir’s incredible work ethic.
“Being awarded a place in the grand final highlights the Chapel Choir’s dedication, commitment and talent,” Director of Music, Mrs Kate Morgan, said.
“Everyone has been working exceptionally hard: the late finishes and early starts have not gone unnoticed in what was a hectic autumn term.
“Christmas concerts, singing alongside local chamber choir, Vocalis, and performances at St Wilfrid’s Church alongside entering this competition made for a busy end to last year, but a third consecutive appearance in the grand final is a wonderful reward for everyone.
If selected as the overall winners, the Chapel Choir will perform at London’s Royal Albert Hall as part of Barnardo’s Young Supporters’ Concert in November.
Head of Choir, Tilly Reid, will perform in the Grand Final for the third consecutive year, and is excited to return to the Birmingham Symphony Hall.
“Coming together to perform in Birmingham again is a real honour,” Tilly said.
“We’ve worked so hard, and there’s a real sense of camaraderie in the group.
“Choir is a really special part of the school community.”
The National Choir Competition began in 2008 and is hosted by leading children’s charity, Barnardo’s, which focuses on youth services, homelessness and family support.
About Harrogate Ladies’ College
Harrogate Ladies’ College was established in 1893 under the name of Harrogate College. Originally a boys’ school, it later became a girls’ senior school, pioneering girls education in the early 20th century. It opened a co-ed pre-school in 1997 followed by a co-ed prep school 25 years ago, both of which now go under the name of Highfield. The school has a long history of academic success, including being named in the Sunday Times Top 10 Schools in the North for Academic Excellence 2024.
In June 2025, the school announced plans to begin the gradual transition to a fully co-ed school from 2-18 years from September 2026. Alongside the move to a co-ed senior school, their family of schools will be known as Duchy College from September 2026.
