Jubilant Louth Male Choir are celebrating victory at a prestigious festival, beating some of the best choirs in the country.

They were crowned champions when gaining a stunning first prize in the sea shanty category at the Eskdale Festival of the Arts national choir day, held in the Yorkshire seaside town of Whitby.

The Louth choir even defeated Yorkshire rivals Bolsterstone, who have twice been voted the best male voice choir in the world!

Adjudicator Philip Dewhurst praised their performance of ‘What Shall We Do With A Drunken Sailor?’ for its “energy and drive, which added to the sense of communication”.

Musical director Graham Burrell and piano accompanist Carolyn Sumner proudly show off the trophy and certificate won by Louth Male Voice Choir.

placeholder image — Musical director Graham Burrell and piano accompanist Carolyn Sumner proudly show off the trophy and certificate won by Louth Male Voice Choir.

The proud Louth singers were also named runners-up with honours in two other categories.

In the song from the shows section, Dewhurst highlighted the “well-shaped dynamics, which added colour and interest” in their lively singing of ‘Rhythm Of Life’.

And in the male voice choir category, they were just pipped by Rossendale, who have performed on the TV show ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. Dewhurst praised Louth’s “dependable tuning and tight ensemble singing” in their rendition of ‘Beautiful Rain’.

The outstanding success has come as the choir celebrate Graham Burrell’s 40 years as musical director (MD).

Louth Male Voice Choir, who were triumphant at the Eskdale Festival of the Arts in Whitby.

Burrell said: "We faced fierce competition not only from male choirs but also from mixed and ladies choirs. But we were on top form, bringing songs to life, performing them and not just singing them.

"Determination, concentration and making it fun – that’s what made it happen.”

Choir chair John Kennedy commented: “We are enormously lucky to have Graham as our MD and Carolyn Sumner as our piano accompanist.

"They are both superb musicians who encourage us to perform to our very best.

"The recent success of Men United In Song, our campaign to recruit new members, has also given the choir extra momentum and we were delighted that some new members sang with us in Whitby.”

The choir meet for two hours every Tuesday evening in Louth Town Hall on Eastgate, starting at 7.30, and are still looking for new recruits.

For information about how to join and all their upcoming events, visit their website, www.louthmvc.co.uk.