A CHOIR from Rwanda will be among music and dance groups performing over Easter in this year’s Harrogate International Youth Festival.

In an exchange of musical styles, the African singers – most of whom are orphans – are rehearsing the hymn King of Kings while local choirs are learning a Rwandan melody.

Louisa Webb, festival director, said: “Music is a wonderful medium with which to bring cultures together.

“The children are having great fun rehearsing Rwandan music and it should be a real treat for audiences to hear them singing together.”

The visit by the choir, part of the charity Rwanda Child, has been paid for through local fundraising, donations and an Arts Council grant.

Performances are open to the public during a week of events starting next Friday at venues including Newby Hall, Fountains Abbey, Harewood House, Harlow Carr Gardens and the Royal Hall in Harrogate. The programme by music and dance ensembles from this country and all over the world also features the Youth Wind Orchestra from Velbert, in Germany, comprising 40 boys and girls aged between 12 and 14, who will play symphonic pieces, popular tunes and film scores.

For more information and tickets visit hiyf.co.uk, call 08448- 581545, contact the box office on 01423-502116 or e-mail boxoffice@ harrogatetheatre.co.uk.