THE sounds of Africa could be heard in Crossgates Primary when they welcomed some special guests.

The school invited the touring Singing Choir of Africa to join them for a day of music and fun before sharing the Carnegie Hall stage in Dunfermline with their new friends in the evening.

Crossgates kids even helped celebrate the birthday of one of the choir, giving him a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday, and Primary 7 teacher Lisa O’Donnell said: “It was such a buzz, it was unbelievable – the children enjoyed every minute of it.

"One of our parents, for the last few years, has been offering accommodation for the choir when they have come over. She was telling us how great is was and the staff decided we wanted to be involved.”

Miss O’Donnell and colleague Jemma Thomas formed a school choir made up of P5s to P7s in preparation and they supported the African choir at their concert in Dunfermline last Tuesday.

“The singing choir worked with the P5s, P6s and P7s throughout the day and they all agreed it was the best play time ever that day,” she added.

“They just went out and showed their football skills off, they were singing and dancing and, at the end of the day, there was a small school concert where both choirs sang.

"We then went to the Carnegie Hall and we were one of the supporting acts.

"The children performed amazingly considering they had never done it before and loved every minute. The African children brought such an enthusiasm to the school.

"We would certainly be looking to do it again. The two month tour is organised by the Educate the Kids charity so we would like to do some fundraising for them too."