The National Children’s Choir regional performance set for Longford's St Mel's Cathedral

The pupils will be performing under the banner of The National Children’s Choir. The NCC is a school based choral experience for primary school children.

The idea for the choir was dreamt up in 1985 by a Department of Education music inspector, Sean Creamer. Because that year was the tercentenary of the birth of both Bach and Handel, the European Parliament designated it as European Music Year, and the inevitable official committee was looking for ways in which Irish primary schools could become involved.

Since 1985 over 90,000 children have enjoyed the experience of singing with the National Children's Choir at a local level. This is a tribute to the dedication and commitment of teachers all over the country.

There is a great mix of genres of music performed by the choir, from traditional choral to contemporary songs. Some of the children to take part may be selected to go on to participate in the official National Children’s Choir in the National Concert Hall in Dublin.

Under the programme pupils from 4th, 5th or 6th classes learn a common repertoire of songs in their own schools. Teacher Sinéad Smith is one of the volunteers that give their time to the project: “The students are taught by their teachers. Then the pupils join other local schools three or four times a year to rehearse the songs together. Every child who learns the repertoire then performs in their local concert,” Sinéad explained.

This year the Longford, Leitrim and Cavan branch of the National Children’s Choir has 180 children from six different national schools. The schools involved are St. Joseph’s NS Longford, St Mary’s NS Edgeworthstown, St Emer’s NS Longford, St Columba’s NS Mullinalaghta, St Patrick’s NS Drumshanbo, Leitrim and St Patrick’s NS Gowna, Cavan.

Rehearsing since September these children will perform on Thursday, May 4 at 8pm in St Mel’s Cathedral.

Sinéad says the group are really looking forward to the concert: “The most recent rehearsal was in St Mary’s NS Edgeworthstown. This promises to be an evening’s entertainment which is not to be missed. Tickets cost €10 and are available through the schools or at the door.”