Children from seven different primary schools in the Belfast area came together in St Anne’s Cathedral over two mornings to participate in the annual St Anne Trust Carolfest.
The Trust was formed in 2015 to foster cross-community relations and build friendships through the medium of music. As well as Carolfest, the charity hosts a choir competition for schools each May.
This year, pupils from Cliftonville Integrated Primary School, Glenwood Primary School, Holy Cross Boys’ Primary School and Jordanstown School took part in a service on Tuesday December 3, with choirs from Hazlewood Integrated Primary School, Fane Street Primary School and St Bride’s Primary School leading the singing on Wednesday December 4.
In his words of welcome, the Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev Stephen Forde highlighted that this year the Cathedral is celebrating its 120th anniversary. “Ever since our Cathedral opened its doors in 1904, the voices of young people from across this city have been raised in joyful song that has filled this wonderful place,” he said.
He added that he hoped the music the children shared that day would fill them with joy for this Christmas and many more to come.
The Dean paid tribute to the late Mr Joe Watson, founding Chair of the St Anne Trust, ‘without whose vision and passion this Carolfest would not be happening today.’
The Patron of the St Anne Trust is Dame Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle, Lord Lieutenant of the County Borough of Belfast, who expressed her delight that this year’s Carolfest included two schools who have not previously been involved. “Music is a very special gift. It has the power to enhance, transform and heal, and often it connects when words along are not enough,” the Lord Lieutenant said.
As well as bringing together school choirs from different areas and traditions, a second objective of the Trust is to provide young people with opportunities to develop their musical and performance skills regardless of their background.
The Trust has created a scholarship scheme in partnership with three schools to provide musical tuition for a number of promising pupils between P5 and P7, with the first cohort graduating from the scheme earlier this year.
On the first day of the Carolfest, the current scholars, tutored by Catherine Harper, introduced the service, singing the first verse of ‘Once in Royal David’s City,’ and undertaking a descant in the final verse. They also sang the Carol ‘Still, Still, Still,’ and their wonderful harmonies were appreciated by all present, including special guests, the Lord Lieutenant, and the Deputy Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Andrew McCormick.
On both days, the children, teachers and congregation were welcomed by Dean Forde, who also gave the Blessing at the end, and the services included congregational carols, readings, prayers and poems, all delivered by pupils and other representatives of the schools or the St Anne Trust.
On day one, Cliftonville Integrated sang ‘When Children Rule the World,’ Glenwood Primary School sang ‘It’s Christmas;’ Jordanstown School sang and signed ‘O Little Town (The Glory of Christmas)’ and Holy Cross Boys’ sang ‘Gaudete.’
The next morning, it was the turn of Fane Street Primary School choir who sang and signed ‘Christmas is a Time to Love,’ St Bride’s Primary School who sang ‘Do You Hear What I Hear?’ and Hazelwood Integrated with a beautiful rendition of ‘O Holy Night.’
A host of volunteers from St Anne’s Cathedral helped to chaperone the children, welcome guests and provide snacks for the choirs and welcome refreshments for the parents and friends who attended following each service.
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