National Children’s Choir celebrates ruby anniversary with Mayo concert

THE National Children’s Choir is a school-based choral experience for primary school children.

Affiliated pupils from fourth, fifth and sixth classes in Irish primary schools learn a common repertoire of songs, which challenges them to perform a broad range of songs, from Verdi to Coldplay, while participation in the choir enables young people to experience the sheer joy and involvement in music and song.

This year approximately 600 children from Mayo will perform in a regional concert in the Royal Theatre, Castlebar, celebrating the ruby anniversary of the National Children’s Choir. The concert takes place on April 10, and tickets are available through the schools.

Participating schools for 2025 are: Castlebar Primary School, Breaffy National School, Ballyvary Central National School, Newport Primary School, Ballintubber Primary School, Knockrooskey Primary School, Louisburgh National School, Brackloon National School, Lecanvey National School, Carrakennedy National School, Lankill National School, Carrowholly National School, Quay School, Westport, Murrisk National School, and Quignamanger National School, Ballina.

The aims of the National Children’s Choir are: to foster a love of choral singing among primary school pupils and to enhance the musical education of those involved.

Since its inception in 1985 almost 100,000 children have enjoyed the experience of singing with the National Children’s Choir at local level. This is a tribute to the dedication and commitment of teachers all over the country, and Mayo is no exception. The children and teachers have worked wholeheartedly towards their gala performance.

The choir is much more than large groups of children singing wonderful music to adoring parents, families and friends on local stages and in the National Concert Hall. It is a philosophy, a way of thinking about and celebrating the children’s musicality.

As a movement it absorbs their energy and gives it back in multiples.