Founded in 2006 with support from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Belfast Philharmonic Youth Choir is one of three unique Belfast Philharmonic choirs for young singers in Northern Ireland. Young singers have the opportunity to sing weekly with a highly trained group, combining singing with games and musicianship training. Musicianship sessions take place in small groups using pitching and rhythm games and introducing solfa and notation reading using Kodály philosophy. The Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály believed that musical understanding through singing reaches everyone.

As well as taking part in regular Youth Choir recitals, in recent years the Youth Choir has taken part in concerts with the Ulster Orchestra. In 2017 they took part in a concert performance of Puccini’s La Bohème with Belfast Philharmonic Choir in association with NI Opera. At the end of last season the young people enjoyed a joint workshop day with Cór na nÓg in Dublin. In December, the choir will travel to Dublin again to sing Britten's 'Saint Nicolas' with Tallaght Choral Society.

Piece: Child Within - Elaine Agnew

Accompanist Gail Evans

Conductor Lynsey Callaghan