On Tuesday 21 March 2023, the Archdiocese of Liverpool Schools Singing Programme hosted the Catholic Secondary Schools Choir Competition of the Year in the Crypt Concert Room of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. To a sell out audience, seven schools performed two pieces of their choice, one sacred and one secular, to great acclaim!
An esteemed judging panel was brought together to undertake the very difficult task of judging the competition. Stephen Mannings (Director of Music, Liverpool Anglican Cathedral), Dr Christopher McElroy (Director of Music, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral), Louise Ellinson (Choral Director, University of Liverpool) and Dr Rebekah Okpoti (Lecturer, Liverpool Hope University) brought years of expertise and experience to provide quality feedback to all the schools.
The Archbishop of Liverpool, Malcolm McMahon OP, was the guest of honour, presenting the prizes to the winning school choir. Canon Anthony O’Brien, Dean of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and Joan McCarthy, Director of Education at the Archdiocese of Liverpool, were also present to hear the choirs perform.
First place was awarded to St Bede's Catholic High School Ormskirk, with performances of Breath of Heaven and Seasons of Love, directed by Annemarie McMurray. The judges commented that the choir had a really fantastic blend and balance throughout, with all of their singers working together, with excellent musicianship shown by every pupil.
Second place of the competition was awarded to St Edward’s College and third place was awarded to St Julie’s Catholic High School. Excellent performances were also given by Notre Dame Catholic College, Bellerive FCJ Catholic College, St Mary’s Catholic High School Wigan and St John Bosco Arts College.
Archdiocese of Liverpool Choral Director, Joe Watson, who was the event host and organiser commented: “A huge congratulations to all schools, students and staff who participated in this year’s competition. All schools performed with a confidence and enthusiasm that filled the Crypt Concert Hall with joy. In a time where musical education is not a priority amongst some pillars of our community, events like this show that quite the opposite is true. A music education is multi-skilled in developing a well-rounded student who can reach their full potential, and the confidence and enthusiasm the students performed with only shows this.”
All the schools performed exceptionally, and all students, staff and parents should be very proud of what each individual pupil achieved in this competition.