It was something of a Cinderella story; first-time entrants and total unknowns, Albert Town High School, from Trelawny, winning the 2008 Television Jamaica’s (TVJ’s) All Together Sing, school choir competition.

So the great pride and excitement with which they marched through the streets of their rural town Tuesday, chanting “We are the giants: mighty, mighty giants”, a name that stuck to them following their delivery of Donald Lawrence’s gospel lyric Giants, was perfectly understandable.

The school won a total of $850,000 in prize money, some of which will be used to improve the music department. The 25 choir members also received $3,000 each in an account from RBTT bank, while the choir director received $10,000. The students also received individual trophies from TVJ as well as a school trophy.

Choir member Patrina Clarke recalled how nervous they were the first week they went to the studio finals. “…but we knew we could make it,” she said.

It is another first for Trelawny,” said an ecstatic Wentworth Gabbidon, the school’s principal.

The whole town erupted Sunday when they made the announcement,” he added, pointing out that he had now given the students a new mandate, following the 10-week competition: “Now that the choir has taken us ‘to the worl” its now ‘to the books’.”

Gabiddon’s excitement was matched by the students who eagerly lined up for Tuesday’s motorcade through the town, to neighbouring Christiana in Mandeville. At the same time members of the choir have gained superstar status in this southern yam-producing area, located in the Cockpit Country. The choiristers, Gabbidon said, have a new-found confidence, which has washed over the entire school.

As they made their way into the town square Tuesday – a sea of burgundy in their uniforms – passersby waved and motorists honked their horns in recognition. But none could be prouder of the young charges than music teacher Rochell Linton, her assistant Cameke Shirley and Gamel Grant, the choir director.

Linton and Shirley started the choir in January and Grant – who joined the school staff in September – took on the task of choir director.

Grant, a visual arts teacher and musician and the reigning third-place winner in the 2008 Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Gospel Festival, said it is memorable achievement. “Entering for the first time and getting to be champions is really an achievement,” he told Street Beat. “It’s also a statement that Kingston is not Jamaica.”

He noted that his experience as an accomplished musician helped but noted that it was the students’ talent and the hard work of the entire team that was invaluable. “This will open the door for many other things,” he said.

Shirley agreed that it was a unified effort while Linton said it was nothing short of miraculous. “We were determined and God made it happen,” she said.

Gabbidon says the work has just begun for the school, which this year celebrated its 39th anniversary. “The work starts now for next year as we intend to successfully defend our title.”

He said hopefully this will also shine the light on other achievements by the school, the alma mater of athlete Omar Brown and mayor of Falmouth Colin Gager.