Diocesan News10 May 19

Belfast schools set for 2019 Choir of the Year competition

15th & 16th May

The St Anne Trust will welcome pupils and staff from 10 local schools to Belfast Cathedral on May 15 and 16 to participate in the annual ‘Belfast Primary Schools’ Choir of the Year’ competition.

The trust was formed in 2016 with the aims of advancing education and promoting arts, culture and heritage through, among other things, encouraging good relations with and between young people and their families, particularly those from communities significantly affected by conflict, diversity or deprivation.

This is the third ‘Belfast Primary Schools’ Choir of the Year’ competition, and it will involve schools from all parts of the city, including two special schools.

On the first day of the competition, more than 400 children will have the opportunity to sing together as this year’s adjudicator, BBC art and music producer Richard Yarr, takes time out to decide on the winner. This will not be an easy task as it is anticipated the standard will be exceptional, as it has been in previous years.

Eight schools will compete on Wednesday, with special schools taking part in a ‘Come and Sing’ day on Thursday, which includes music workshops as well as performances.

The competition is once again supported by Belfast City Council. Lord Mayor Councillor Deirdre Hargey said: “Music has a special gift for bridging societal gaps, and this competition is no different – singing and performing in this group setting provides a forum for tolerance, respect, understanding and friendship to flourish among the city’s young people.”

The Lord Mayor paid tribute to the St Anne Trust for its vision of bringing primary school children together in a ‘celebration of song.’

This year the competition is also sponsored by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Trust Chairman Joseph Watson said: “We once again look forward to some wonderful choral singing in the beautiful St Anne’s Cathedral. For many of the children this is a first time opportunity to perform in such a large and impressive building, and the excitement, concentration and joy in their faces as they sing is a pleasure to behold.

“We are delighted that pupils from Jordanstown and Harberton special schools will join us again for our ‘Come and Sing’ day on Thursday as the children’s love of singing and making music are truly infectious.”