THOUSANDS enjoyed a performance from about 120 Barnsley children who performed on stage at London’s Royal Albert Hall on Monday night.

The near-capacity crowd at the 5,000 seater concert hall enjoyed the coming together of about 90 children from three Barnsley primary schools who sang in a 400-strong choir, and 28 young musicians from the borough who joined a 200-piece jazz orchestra.

Together they formed a massed ensemble called the South Yorkshire Jazz Collective especially for the Music For Youth Proms concert.

They performed a new piece called Jazz Journey by jazz musicians Dennis Rollins and Chris Noble.

“It was absolutely unbelievable,” said Alex Francis, of Barnsley Music Service.

“Dennis started the piece off on trombone, and I think he set the standard so high the kids just took it up a level. They really did do us all proud.”

Children from Worsbrough Common, Royston St John and Penistone St John’s primary schools all performed as part of the 400-strong choir.

Penistone St John’s primary’s music and choir leader, Rosie Masters, said: “It was a truly incredible and unforgettable experience for the children and staff from our school - a once in a lifetime opportunity that will always be remembered.

“The children were a credit to themselves, their school and their town, and did a fantastic job at placing Penistone on the map of the great performers to have performed at the Royal Albert Hall. We at school are very proud of each individual who attended.”

The youngsters have all been rehearsing for months supported by Barnsley Music Service and the Barnsley Music Education Hub, along with other music hubs across South Yorkshire.

Alex said there was ‘no doubt’ there would be more working and performing together in future following the success of the project.