Youngsters are hoping for a festive hit with their new collection of seasonal songs

CHILDREN from across East Devon and West Dorset are hoping for a Christmas hit after releasing a CD of contemporary carols.

Primary school pupils from Uplyme, Chardstock and Marshwood together with students at Woodroffe comprehensive have recorded eight tracks written by local musician and music teacher Adrian Pearson.

The works will also be performed at their up-coming carol services.

Mr Pearson, who has taught music for many years in Honiton and Uplyme, said: “I have composed and performed the carols over a number of years but never recorded them. This collection also includes two first performances.

“I am enormously impressed by the enthusiasm and appreciative of the energy the children have shown in learning the material.”

The carols range from expressions of exuberant celebration to gentle lullabies - from the spirited Multitude of Angels to a new setting of The Magnificat, beautifully sung by the choir of Mrs Ethelston’s at Uplyme, with Issy Cullimore as soloist.

Some of the new carols will be sung at Uplyme Church on Friday (December 9) in Mrs Ethelston’s Candlelight and Carols event while the repertoire also forms the musical component of Marshwood School’s nativity play next Wednesday.

Also next week, children from Uplyme, Chardstock and Marshwood will be joining forces with Woodroffe choristers to sing the new carols at Woodroffe’s own carol service on Thursday night.

Pupils from the three primary schools recorded all eight carols at a session in Uplyme Church. The performance was recorded by The Woodroffe School’s music department under the direction of Head of Music Jon Cullimore, who produced the final mix with added percussion by Lyme drumkit maestro Glyn Rattenbury.

CDs are available to buy at Uplyme Stores and Filling Station and at Primary Colours, in Broad Street, Lyme Regis.

Any profits will go to Children in Need.

The CD incorporates colourful artwork of a wintry Uplyme Church by Terry Daly, who sadly died just last month.

Mr Pearson added: “I hope people will agree the CD will make an attractive Christmas present as well as representing a treasured souvenir of our children’s talented young voices.”

* Photo: singers from Mrs Ethelston’s Uplyme, proudly display their CD of new carols they have recorded