Schools Choir Competition 2018 at Belfast Cathedral
There was keen competition for the title of the St Anne Trust Belfast Primary Schools Choir of the Year Competition which took place recently in Belfast Cathedral.
This is the second year of the competition, and it attracted high calibre entries from 10 primary schools and two special schools.
Jordanstown School and Harberton Special School really set the bar high on day one, May 15, when after a morning of energetic workshops their choirs each performed two songs.
The workshops were led by Laura, Helena with Gail on the piano and the children had a great time.
Jordanstown School sang My Lighthouse by Rend Collective and My Aunty Came Home by Sally Allen. The children also used sign language to convey the lyrics. What a great performance!
Harberton Special School sang One, Two, Three, Jesus is Alive by Yancy Music and Bad Times Won’t Last, by Fischy Music. A energetic performance all round.
The children and their teachers were welcomed by the Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev Stephen Forde, and congratulated on their performances by Mr Joseph Watson, chair of the St Anne Trust.
There was more wonderful singing on day two, May 16, when 10 local primary schools, undaunted by the grand setting, sang beautifully as they chased the title.
Adjudicator Dr Joe McKee had the unenviable task of choosing the top choirs from a truly impressive field and in the end it was Victoria College Preparatory Department which was awarded first place.
A close second was the choir of Holy Cross Boys’ Primary School, and in third place was Currie Primary School. St Anne Primary School was highly commended.
While Dr McKee retired to consider his verdict, Cathedral musicians David Stevens (Master of the Choristers), Dr Ed Jones (Assistant Organist) and Catherine Harper (Head of Vocal Tuition) led the combined choirs, teachers, parents and anyone else who was there in a sing–a–long of a special arrangement by Sacin Gunga of Who Knows.
Before the presentations, the children heard from Michelle McCutcheon of Abbey Insurance and Councillor Sonia Copeland, Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast City Council, key sponsors of the event.
Announcing his results, Dr McKee encouraged the children to keep singing. “With singing and music you can go on forever,” he said.
Among the special guests who attended were Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Belfast, Mrs Fionnuala Jay–O’Boyle and Mr Richard Jay.
The competition ended with the singing of a blessing by the Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev Stephen Forde.
The St Anne Trust was established in 2016 to advance education and promote arts, culture and heritage by promoting good relations with and between young people and their families.
Victoria College Preparatory Department, winners of the St Anne Belfast Primary Schools Choir of the Year Competition, singing during the competition in Belfast Cathedral.
