Ebrington PS reach finals of School Choir of the Year 2016

News of the win was made public on Sunday. The school’s senior choir - comprised of primary six and seven pupils - was one of only three across the North to qualify for a place in the final.

Over the course of the past seven weeks, primary and secondary school choirs from across Northern Ireland have been singing to impress as they battle it out for a place in the final of prestigious competition.

The competition, now in its second year, is produced in association with the Ulster Youth Choir, and supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Rachel Stone, Senior Choir co-ordinator at the Waterside school, said the children in the choir were very emotional when they discovered they’d reached the final.

“Some of them were actually crying, it was really overwhelming for them,” she said.

“They worked so hard and we’re all so proud of them. They really deserved this. It’s not an easy process but they really excelled and it’s given them so much confidence. It’s also been a great opportunity for them to meet other young people from different schools all across the North. That’s something they might not have done otherwise.

“They definitely performed their socks off and we are over the moon with what they’ve achieved so far.”

The series, part of BBC Music NI, will culminate in a live final from the Ulster Hall, Belfast, on Sunday, April 17.