Six Primary Schools from the Diocese took part in the Cork International Choral Festival’s opening gala concert on Wednesday 26th April in Cork City Hall. They formed just over half of a 300 strong choir made up of children from across the county. The project was masterminded by the Artistic Director of the Festival Peter Stobart, who is also Director of Music at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. 

The schools had been rehearsing individually as part of the Diocesan Church Music Scheme for several months, and came together four times before the day itself. The piece that they sang was a set of six ‘Nonsense Songs’, written for the occasion by Peter Stobart and accompanied by a brass quartet. 

The stage of city hall was full to bursting and many of their parents were cheering them on in the audience. As part of the concert day timetable, the Choral Festival had organised a Ceilidh, which made for an evening full of fun before going on stage. 

The six Church of Ireland Schools were St Fin Barre’s N. S., St Michael’s N. S. Blackrock, St Luke’s N.S., O’Mahony’s Ave., St John the Baptist N.S., Midleton, Templebreedy N. S., Crosshaven, and Bandonbridge N. S., Bandon.