Global superstar Ed Sheeran surprised choir singers at an Ipswich church during rehearsals _(Image: St Mary le Tower)_
Choir singers at an Ipswich church were surprised by a global superstar whilst rehearsing Christmas carols on Monday, December 16.
Suffolk's Ed Sheeran attended the rehearsal at [St Mary le Tower, which is set to become Ipswich Minster](https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/24527725.ipswich-firm-help-st-mary-le-tower-become-ipswich-minster/) in January, and officially opened a new Song School.
The Vicar at the church, The Reverend Tom Mumford is a friend of Sheeran's from their teenage years and welcomed the visit from the singer calling him "an incredible advocate for the town".
Ed Sheeran took questions from the choir after he asked if he could listen in to their practice _(Image: St Mary le Tower)_ Sheeran spoke about the importance of choirs for vocal development, mentioning his own experience singing in them when he was a child.
The internationally acclaimed singer also surprised students at [The Baths in Ipswich in November](https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/24736897.delight-ed-sheeran-performance-baths-showcase/), with Ipswich MP Jack Abbott also in attendance.
The Vicar, The Reverend Tom Mumford, said: “Ed’s commitment to Ipswich and to the future of young people and music is second to none.
"He’s an incredible advocate for the town, and for young people getting into singing. He was amazing with our young choristers, listening to them, asking them questions, and answering plenty of questions about Ipswich Town.
Sheeran and Reverend Tom Mumford are old friends _(Image: St Mary le Tower)_ "We’re proud of him as a local lad, and we’re honoured he officially opened our Song School.
"My hope is that his commitment and work will encourage many more young people to explore singing, and what better place in Ipswich to do that than at Ipswich Minster.”
The Song School currently has more than 40 young people under the age of 18 and is part of Tower House, a well-being and community hub shared with Citizens Advice Ipswich.
After speaking about his own experiences singing in choirs, questions soon turned to Ipswich Town.
Fully clad in Ipswich Town clothes Sheeran, who is a minority stakeholder in the club answering questions from the group as the blues picked up their second win of the season last weekend.