A COMMUNITY choir which was founded less than three years ago got in tune at an international festival - and were even asked to do an encore.

Wargrave Community Choir was founded in September 2016 and has been under the tutelage of music director Shade Black.

The Newton-le-Willows-based choir got to perform at this year’s annual Eisteddfod International Music Festival, held at Llangollen, Wales.

The atmosphere was described as "electric" during their performance, and, due to the sound that the choir produced, the crowd increased with festival organisers among those being drawn in at each song they sang, until there was standing room only.

And Wargrave were the only choir to be asked, and then allowed, to perform an ‘encore’ as well, something unheard of at the festival.

Musical director Shade, who has guided the choir to where they are today, said: “I am very proud of you all and I’m full of pride and smiling from ear to ear.”

One of the choir members added: “That was my first time going, and I have to say it was an experience I will never forget.”

The committee is made up of seven friends who formed the choir in 2016, and who all met through their mutual love of singing.

Earlier in the year, the choir donated the proceeds of their Christmas concert and presented a cheque for £850 to Zoe’s Place, a children’s hospice in Liverpool.

St Helens Star:

Shade (front, middle) and choir members who raised proceeds for Zoe's Place

Wargrave Choir rehearses every Monday from 7pm to 9pm at Cross Lane United Church, WA12 9PT.

People are free to come along and say hello and find out more about the choir and its achievements, with the choir described as a mixed age community full of fun and friendship.

For more details, call 07517521344.