Diocesan News11 Jun 14

Jonah–Man Jazz Showcases Talent In Belfast Cathedral Choir School

The Dean of Belfast, the Very Revd John Mann; Jennifer McCann, Junior Minister; Lord Mayor of Belfast Councillor Nichola Mallon, and Jonathan Bell, Junior Minister, outside Belfast Cathedral before the Jonah–Man Jazz Concert

A concert of Jonah–Man Jazz in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, on Sunday 8 June was a great showcase for the talents of the young singers in the Cathedral choirs and in the Choir School Project.

A large and enthusiastic crowd filled the Nave to enjoy 15 minutes of beautiful singing, interspersed with brief words spoken very clearly by pupils from the three schools taking part in the Choir School Project.

The concert was held as part of the Belfast Cathedral Music Festival, which continues until 15 June, and drew an audience of parents, siblings and many people just wanting to hear this piece based on the story of Jonah and the Whale sung in beautifully clear voices.

Among the special guests were the new Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Nichola Mallon, who took time to chat with the children before the concert, and Junior Stormont Ministers Jonathan Bell and Jennifer McCann.

The guests and audience were welcomed by the Dean of Belfast, the Very Revd John Mann, who then handed over to Master of the Choristers David Stevens on piano, the Cathedral Jazz Band, Choir school tutors Catherine Harper and Thérèse Woodfield and, of course, the Choir and the children.

This was a precise and energetic performance from all involved, and fully deserved the lengthy applause it generated at the end of the six pieces that made up Jonah–Man Jazz.

Dean Mann said: ‘This was a performance that was tuneful and would have stood up with anything that primary school children could perform anywhere, but most important it gave us reason to thank those who work with the young for their vision and vitality, and those who are children now for giving us hope of a better and brighter future, together.’

The children were all rewarded for their singing, and exemplary behaviour, with goody boxes and drinks provided by the Cathedral’s hard working catering team.

There were also refreshments for the adults, and people had the opportunity to browse the artwork the schools had brought along to add to the colourful and creative atmosphere on the Cathedral that afternoon.

For further information contact Karen Bushby, Press Officer, St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, on 07766 103880 or email [email protected]