A very busy weekend for the Choir of the Year! With one half of the team auditioning choirs in Cardiff the other half headed to Belfast to hear what the choirs from Northern Ireland had to offer.

8.30am on a very sunny Sunday morning and the team arrived at Methodist College to welcome a small but eager group of choirs to the Belfast audition. It wasn't long before the grounds of the College were filled with the sound of singing as choirs set up their own makeshift rehearsal spaces outside, before taking their seats. Kaleidoscope were so enthusiastic that they went for their official warm up session leaving behind their conductor!

After welcoming the two adjudicators Eugene Skeef and Michael Morewood, Michael took to the stage to give a warm up session, which was particularly necessary given the rather chilly venue. With everyone warmed up and ready to go we welcomed our first choir, Kaleidoscope to the stage. The choir set the pace for a great morning of singing followed by Grosvenor Grammar and Loughside Chamber Choir. There may have only been one choir per category but the choirs all knew it was no guarantee they would make it through to the National Selection Stage, so as the judges left to make their decision there was tension in the air!

Back in the judging room, and joined by Declan McGovern from the BBC, the judges deliberated over the result after what they all agreed had been a great morning of singing.

Before the final result was announced Michael Morewood came back to lead an excellent choral workshop which had everyone singing together, loud enough to be heard throughout the whole building.

The adjudicators returned and after a few words from Declan they announced that all three choirs were to go through to the National Selection Stage, Grosvenor Grammer School, Junior Choir in the Children's Category, Kaleidoscope in the Youth Category and Loughside Chamber Choir in the Adult Category. Thrilled by their success all the choirs members left with smiles on their faces.

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