BBC Radio Ulster

Sing Out

Music: Classical: Choral

John Anderson explores the people behind Northern Ireland's great choral tradition.

John Anderson goes behind the scenes to meet the people and the singers who give Northern Ireland its great choral tradition and worldwide reputation.

Sing Out: St George's Church, Belfast, ParSonik, Belfast Community Gospel Choir, Chamber Choir of Strathearn School

Belfast Community Gospel Choir

20/05/2018

St George's Church, Belfast, ParSonik, Belfast Community Gospel Choir, Chamber Choir of Strathearn School

BBC Radio Ulster - Sing Out, St George's Church, Belfast, ParSonik, Belfast Community Gospel Choir, Chamber Choir of Strathearn School

Ulster's proud choral tradition from the schools to gospel in the Grand Opera House.

Enjoy the great variety of music and meet the singers in the Choir of St George's, ParSonik and the Belfast Community Gospel Choir preparing for their Grand Opera House concert.

Sing Out celebrates the very high standard of choral music in Northern Ireland. For such a small place, Northern Ireland 'punches way above its weight' when it comes to singing and choirs.

Sing Out not only features the choirs' music, but also asks who are all these people and why do they do it.  It's an opportunity to enjoy the choirs singing and talking about their passion and get an insight into this wonderful world of music where absolutely anyone can be a participant, where musical expertise can range from beginners to highly sophisticated. 

This week, meet the choir of St George's Church in Belfast, who maintain the age-old and beautiful musical tradition of the Anglican Church with boys and men choristers. The name of the choir 'ParSonik', is a clever play on the word 'Parkinson's'. This is a lively choir whose members' lives have all been touched by this condition, be it personally or with a family member.  What they also share is a love of singing and the sheer pleasure of getting together to sing.

The Belfast Community Gospel Choir is Northern Irelands' only multicultural gospel choir. It's an auditioned choir, directed by the inspirational Marie Lacey, and the 100+ enthusiastic members come from every walk of life and background, all over Northern Ireland. Sing Out joins them as they are preparing for their big concert in the Grand Opera House. And a lively performance by the Chamber Choir of Strathearn School in Belfast who have just won the Songs of Praise Young Choir of the Year.

Northern Ireland's national station for local news, sport, weather, speech and music

Northern Ireland's national station for local news, live sport, weather, intelligent speech, great personalities and music to suit all tastes

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Sing Out

St George's Church, Belfast, ParSonik, Belfast Community Gospel Choir, Chamber Choir of Strathearn School

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio Ulster

About BBC Radio Ulster