MUSIC rang out from Salisbury Cathedral as 450 choristers from parish churches across the diocese met for an afternoon of choral singing.

Twenty one choristers received their Dean’s Award or Bishop’s Award examination medals and one, Mary Price from St Thomas’ Church, Salisbury, was received the RSCM Gold Award.

David Halls, director of music at the cathedral, said: “We think it is really good to bring together as many choirs from around the diocese as possible to sing alongside our own cathedral choir.

“It is wonderful for small choirs to be able to tackle much more demanding repertoire than usual in the company of many others. For our part, it is always a pleasure to welcome our fellow choristers from the parishes and it is always exciting to hear the results of everyone’s hard work on the day.”

The Salisbury Diocesan Choral Festival Group (SDCFG) administers the Dean’s and Bishop’s Awards which recognise excellence and commitment in choristers throughout the diocese. The awards were presented by the Dean of Salisbury and the Bishop of Salisbury.