A CHOIR director from Devizes has hit the high notes by winning a competition organised by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM).

Chris Totney’s new anthem ‘God of all creation’ was chosen as the winning piece from over 200 entries to mark the school’s annual Music Sunday event on June 6.

Hugh Morris, director of the RSCM, described the three-minute masterpiece as being “very strong and well-constructed.”

Chris said: “It’s a pleasure to contribute an approachable piece of music to celebrate this special day, but the biggest examination still lies ahead, and that is to find out whether it stands the test of time. Plenty of music is written for one-off occasions and then never heard again, but my hope is that this anthem will really hit the mark with singers and live on for many years to come.”

The choir at St John’s Church in Devizes, where Chris is Director of Music, is preparing to start up again. Its 35 members, including 18 children, have been forced to abandon their duties for most of the last year due to the pandemic. “There’s never been a better time to join a choir and we currently have space for several boys and girls ideally aged 7 to 10”, said Chris. Anyone interested in joining should email christotney@gmail.com or phone 07811 629062.