Clough Primary choristers compete in School Choir of the Year contest

Following on from the success of the last two years, 60 choirs from across Northern Ireland will be singing to impress as they battle it out for a place in the live final of the BBC Radio Ulster School Choir Of The Year 2017 on Sunday, April 30.

Presented by John Toal and Kerry McLean, and recorded at seven venues across Northern Ireland, the first programme hosted from Friends’ School, Lisburn, was aired on Sunday when those who tuned in heard 10 choirs all vying for a place in the grand final.

Competing choirs will be performing for judges Richard Yarr, Senior Classical Music Producer with BBC Northern Ireland; Ciaran Scullion, Head of Music with The Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Rebekah Coffey, Soprano and Ulster Youth Choir coach.

BBC Radio Ulster School Choir of the Year is produced in association with the Ulster Youth Choir, and supported by the Arts Council for Northern Ireland (ACNI).

Fergus Keeling, Head of Radio, BBC Northern Ireland said: “At BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle we are dedicated to providing our listeners with the best music, and nurturing new talent is something we are extremely passionate about.

“We are delighted once again to be involved in finding some of the best young choirs in Northern Ireland and helping our listeners follow their exciting journey towards the live grand final in the Ulster Hall.”

Ciaran Scullion, Head of Music, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: “It offers a fantastic opportunity for schools to engage and participate in high-quality arts, nurturing a love of music and developing untapped talent in our young people.”