PUPILS from St John's Academy hit all the right notes to win their class at the Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts.

The Year 7 and 8 competition choir entered competed against four other choirs in Class X30, which was for people age 13 and under, singing two folk songs at the festival's main venue at the Cheltenham Town Hall.

The 40 pupils swept aside their competitors, earning an outstanding grade from the bowled over judges, with their impressive score of 91 marks.

Max More, director of performance at St John's, said he was extremely proud of the young singers, who all have bright futures ahead of them.

"I am absolutely delighted that the choir managed to go one better than last year when the choir came a narrow second - all of them have great potential," he said.

"As the only state school among the four competing choirs, the young singers for St. John's were beside themselves when it was announced that they overcome all the competition to take first prize, an enormous trophy and a mark of 91 - graded outstanding.

"The singers were required to sing a test piece which was The Water of Tyne, a folksong arranged by Michael Neaum.and also sang another folksong called Johnny Todd.

"The choir was commended for their blend, the balance of the parts and the real engagement with the music. The adjudicator said in his verbal feedback that this choir really had something. He also gave credit to the choir for their professional demeanour and presence on stage."