‘National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland’ selection

From left to right: Grosvenor pupils Beth Vance, Tyler Smith, Daniel Stewart, Amy Patton and Fiona Kelly, pictured alongside Grosvenor’s Head of Music Miss Rosemary Foster.

Congratulations to Grosvenor Grammar School’s top choristers who were selected onto the prestigious National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland (previously Ulster Youth Choir) over the summer period, following a workshop conducted within the school.

The auditions took place within the GGS Music department when Andrew Nunn, Artistic Director of the NYCNI, showcased a choral workshop with Grosvenor’s Chamber Choir. All of the pupils involved thoroughly enjoyed the experience and benefited greatly from Mr. Nunn's technical training and relaxed, humorous approach.

Following the workshop and upon consideration by Mr. Nunn, a number of the School’s pupils were offered a place to attend a summer residential course with the NYCNI, namely: Beth Vance, Tyler Smyth and Daniel Stewart, all Year Fourteen. The course took place at Campbell College, Belfast from 21st – 27th July, culminating in a 25th Anniversary concert at the Ulster Hall, held on Saturday 27th July. The National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland was established in 1999 to provide the best of Northern Ireland’s young singers, aged 11-24, with the opportunity to sing together to the highest possible standards, receiving training from some of the best choral and vocal practitioners from throughout the UK and Ireland. It is now regarded as one of Northern Ireland’s leading artistic and educational organisations.

Over the years the company has expanded: in light of this, Amy Patton, Year Ten, recently secured her place in its Junior Choir - which comprises the best singers aged 11 – 15 from throughout Province - following selection by an audition panel made up of professional singers and conductors from throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. Amy has now completed two residential courses with the Ulster Youth Junior Choir and has taken part in several prestigious concerts throughout the province.

Very well done to Beth, Tyler, Daniel and Amy on their participation within the National Youth Choir, as well as Grosvenor’s Music department – made up primarily of Head of Music Miss Rosemary Foster alongside fellow teacher Mr Jonathan Arnold; we look forward to being treated to many impressive performances from them at the School’s various musical engagements throughout the year.