Hopetown Primary School of Region Five came out on top when the Ministry of Education presented its Schools Festival of Choirs yesterday at the National Cultural Centre.

Winner at the Primary Schools Festival of Choirs, Hopetown Primary performs its national song.

The choir, led by Onika Joseph, performed the national song “Hymn For Guyana’s Children” and a medley of folk songs. The song that solidified its win, “Me Coffee”, was accompanied by drumming.

Second place went to Regma Primary of Region Ten, which performed a rousing rendition of “A Better You A Better Me Tomorrow”. The national song “To Serve My Country”.

Meanwhile, third place went to West Ruimveldt Primary, which performed the national song “A Song of Hope”; folk song “Little Brown Gal” and “If We Hold on Together”. Rounding out the winner’s row was Winfer Gardens Primary. The school which had a large audience support performed “Oh Beautiful Guyana”, a folk medley and “If I Had a Hammer”.

Minister within the Ministry of Education Dr Desrey Fox opened the festival with an address at 10 am.

It was not all about winning though since many of the children put on splendid displays of talent throughout the day. The choirs were judged by Shawn Bollers, Robert Burns and Clive Thierens with Vivienne Daniel scoring and Sena Legall as the musical accompanist.

The festival continues tomorrow with the secondary level taking to the stage.