Inter-school Christmas Gala Competition (FISCA)
The annual Flax Trust Inter-school Christmas Gala Competition (FISCA) was held at Belfast City Hall on Thursday 3rd December. Master of Ceremonies was Noel Thompson BBC. 280 Young people from 18 primary and post primary schools in North Belfast came together to create 9 cross community choirs. Artistic Director Megan Mooney BMus (Hons); Dip Mus. Performance; Dip Mus. Teaching organised a series of workshops with the 18 schools involved prior to the Gala.
The adjudicators were Richard Yarr BBC NI, Jenny Bourke Mezzo Soprano and Ciaran Scullion Head of Music Arts Council NI.
In addition to £5,000 in awards the Trust gave a grant of £500 to each choir competing for their magnificent performances, for their music departments.
Holy Family and Currie Primary Schools won the George Mitchell Cup for Most Captivating Performance and a Bursary of £3000.
Dominican College Fortwillam and Belfast High won the George Quigley Cup for Most Accomplished Senior Choir and a Bursary of £1000.
Black Mountain and Holy Cross Girls Primary Schools won the Tom Foley Cup for Most Promising Junior Choir and a Bursary of £1000.
Holy Family and Currie Primary Schools won the George Mitchell Cup for Most Captivating Performance and a Flax Trust Bursary of £3000.
Marie Wilson & Isabel Blair. Holy Family & Currie Primary are presented with the George Mitchell Cup for the Most Captivating Performance by Lady Empy and £3000 Flax Trust Bursary by Sr Dr Mary Turley.
Dominican College Fortwillam and Belfast High won the George Quigley Cup for Most Accomplished Senior Choir and a Flax Trust Bursary of £1000.
Stephen Cairns & Meabh McKeon, Dominican College & Belfast High School are presented with the George Quigley Cup for Most Accomplished Senior Choir by Lady Quigley and a £1000 Flax Trust Bursary by Sr Dr Mary Turley.
Black Mountain and Holy Cross Girls Primary Schools won the Tom Foley Cup for Most Promising Junior Choir and a Flax Trust Bursary of £1000
Jared Love & Bernadette Boyle. Black Mountain & Holy Cross Girls are presented with the Tom Foley Cup for the Most Promising Junior Choir by US Consul General Daniel Lawton and £1000 Flax Trust Bursary by Sr Dr Mary Turley.
Rev Tim Bartlett with Ann & David Ford
Sr Kenneth & Lady Bloomfield with Professor Jackie McCoy and Eamon Mullan Secretary Ulster University
The full capacity audience enjoying the Flax Trust Inter-school Gala Competition
Soprano Megan Mooney presented with Bouquet by Noel Thompson BBC
Fr Dr Myles Kavanagh with Noel Thompson