A Reigate school choir has taken to the stage at The Barbican in London after being chosen to perform at a charity festival.

The 17-strong Girls' Chamber Choir of the Royal Alexandra and Albert School was one of only two acts selected from this area to perform at the Barnardo's Believe in Children Festival.

Music and dance ensembles from around the South East applied to take part in the charity fundraiser.

Last year, the school's Year 9 Vocal Ensemble beat adult ensembles to win the open ensemble class at the Reigate and Redhill Music Festival and, as a result, were nominated to participate in the Barbican Festival. Festivals from around the region also nominated acts to perform, and with a limited number of places available, the Girls' Chamber Choir did well to be chosen.

The choir, aged from 12 to 15, includes the school's Year 9 and Year 10 vocal ensembles, as well as singers from Years 7 and 8.

School director of music, Josephine Bryant, said: "The girls rehearse twice a week and most are taking ABRSM Classical Singing or LAMDA Music Theatre Graded Exams, with over a third at Grade 5 or beyond. “I think they have been particularly successful because they really love their singing and work hard to achieve highly professional results."

Headmaster Paul Spencer Ellis said: “Whilst we provide frequent opportunities for pupils to perform at school, it cannot compare with performing at the Barbican which was the experience of a lifetime. “The girls have had amazing success locally and they richly deserve this opportunity."