School choirs ‘absolutely inspirational’ at The St Anne Trust Spring Sing

Thursday May 14th 2026

On day one of Spring Sing, the children were invited into the choir stalls for a workshop led by Belfast Cathedral’s Master of Music and Organist, Jack Wilson.

Choirs from six different schools across Belfast came together in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, this week to share their love of singing as part of the annual St Anne Trust choral singing event.

Re-branded ‘Spring Sing’ for 2026 – the two-day event welcomed choirs from Glenwood Primary School, Holy Cross Boys’ Primary School and Cliftonville Integrated Primary School on Tuesday May 12.

The following day, it was the turn of the choirs from Clifton School, Harberton School and Jordanstown School to show their talents.

Welcoming the pupils, their teachers and the many family and friends to came along to hear the young people sing in this beautiful place, the Dean of Belfast, the Very Rev Stephen Forde, said: “Music making and choral singing count as some of the most beneficial activities that children – and adults – can engage in.”

The Dean added: “I hope that singing together in St Anne’s Cathedral will be a time of real joy and memories to last a lifetime.”

Adjudicator Richard Yarr MBE DL FRSA, left, with Richard Jay, chairman of The St Anne Trust and Trust Patron Dame Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle DBE DStJ LLD, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Belfast, at the Spring Sing 2026 in Belfast Cathedral.

Dame Fionnuala Jay-O’Boyle DBE DStJ LLD, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for Belfast, is Patron of the St Anne Trust, and attended the first day of the Spring Sing.

“Singing is always special, but never more so than when young people come together in a choir,” she said.

“The skills of listening to each other and watching the conductor are priceless skills for life.”

These skills were very much on show over the two days, not just in the beautiful renditions of songs by each choir, but in their wonderful behaviour throughout the event, the manner in which they focused on their conductor, and their obvious enjoyment of being in the special space that is Belfast Cathedral.

The children had the special treat of a short singing class led by the Cathedral’s Master of Music and Organist, Jack Wilson, when they were invited to sit in the choir stalls and experience singing in the seats normally occupied by the Cathedral Choir.

Spring Sing welcomed Richard Yarr MBE DL FRSA, Executive Producer of Arts and Music at BBC Northern Ireland and a presenter of BBC Radio Ulster’s Sounds Sacred programme as adjudicator on day one of the Spring Sing. Richard is also a former choirboy of St Anne’s Cathedral.

After the choirs had each performed their two songs, Richard provided very positive feedback for the schools.

“It has been absolutely inspirational,” he said. “A real joy. It really made me smile and it made me feel great. I cannot believe the amount of energy you all have singing at 11 o’clock in the morning!

“It is wonderful to come from behind the doors of your schools and sing for each other.”

Choirs from Clifton School, Harberton School and Jordanstown School joined together at the front of St Anne’s Cathedral for a communal sing-a-long before the Spring Sing ended on Wednesday May 13.

The second day of the Spring Sing began with a workshop for the children who all attend special schools in the city. The choirs – and their teachers and assistants – all enjoyed songs and actions led by Catherine Dalzell, with accompaniment from Lorraine Finlay. It certainly had them well warmed up before each school performed their selected songs – complete with signing in some instances – with wonderful confidence in front of a busy audience.

The choirs then were invited to come together at the front of the Cathedral for a communal sing-a-long before returning to their schools.

The St Anne Trust was founded 10 years ago. Its primary objective is to enhance and promote good community relations between children and their families through the medium of choral music. As well as the annual choral singing events in May, it holds Carolfest at Christmas and runs a scholarship scheme for individual singers.

Back to latest news