Our Youth Group took part in a one-off concert version of Oliver! in the Waterfront Hall on Tue 16th May 2006.

Joining the Youth Group was a chorus of over 500 children from fifteen schools from North Belfast, Antrim, Ballymena and Ballycastle:

• Currie Primary
• Hazelwood Integrated College
• Holy Cross Boys’ Primary
• Holy Cross Girls’ Primary
• Holy Family Primary
• Lowwood Primary
• Ligoniel Primary
• Mercy Primary
• Sacred Heart Primary
• Seaview Primary
• Star of the Sea Primary
• St. Comgall’s Primary, Antrim
• St. Louis’ Grammar, Ballymena
• St. Patrick’s & St Brigid’s Primary, Ballycastle
• Wheatfield Primary

It was a special night for all who were involved. For many of the children on stage and in the chorus, it was their first visit to the famous Belfast landmark. After weeks of rehearsals in their own schools – with great support from their teachers – they arrived in buses and high spirits on Tuesday lunchtime.

Event producer Joanne Laverty and musical director Mark Laverty (her brother) took them through an afternoon of final rehearsals. This was the first time that all 600 or so children had sung together. There was a huge buzz of excitement throughout the 2,000-seater concert hall as the schools took their seats in a semi-circle above the stage.

The Youth Group members on stage showed no signs of nerves or awe at performing in front of almost 2,000 people as they went through the well-loved songs like Food, glorious food, You’ve got to pick a pocket or two and Consider yourself. Emma Walsh’s rendition of As long as he needs me was one of the highlights of the show.

Amongst the audience was a group of German schoolchildren who were on an exchange visit with St. Comgall’s Primary School, as well as hundreds of proud parents, brothers, sisters, grannies, grandads… you get the picture!

At the end of the show, the schools gave a well-rehearsed Mexican wave to the audience, who showed their appreciation with an extended ovation.

There were many family connections involved with the show – brothers, sisters, cousins and more.

Congratulations to all of those who took part. It was a truly memorable night and a great tribute to the youth of North Belfast and beyond.