Farnham Youth Choir (FYC) has achieved another noteworthy success, having struck gold in an international competition in Austria.

The choir won a Gold Award and the highest overall score at the prestigious World Peace Choral Festival in Vienna.

Competing against choirs from across the globe, FYC performed in some of classical music's most celebrated venues, including the Golden Hall of the Musikverein, the Concert Hall of the Vienna Boys' Choir, and the historic St. Peter's Church.

The choir's musicianship and emotional precision impressed both audiences and adjudicators, sealing their place as the festival's top-scoring ensemble.

Judges also singled out FYC's rendition of Rossini's "La Foi" for special recognition, while Artistic Director Patrick Barrett was named the festival's outstanding conductor.

"To sing in the home of classical music is a dream for any young musician, but to take home the highest award of the competition is a testament to the extraordinary dedication, discipline, and talent of our singers," Barrett said.

"We could not be prouder of how they represented Farnham and the UK on the world stage."

The World Peace Choral Festival unites young singers worldwide to promote peace and unity through music, and FYC's victory builds on the choir's long history of international success.

For 13-year-old Maria, it was her first FYC tour: She said: "We didn't just make music together, we built memories that will last a lifetime."

Imogen, 14, said singing in Vienna's legendary venues "felt like a dream come true," while 14-year-old Briony said the Gold Award was exciting, but not the best part, adding: “That was being part of such a lovely team."

Bea, 14, called it simply "the best trip of my life so far."

FYC thanked its supporters, families, patrons and the local community for making the tour possible.

For more information, visit fyc.org.uk