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BSPA Casting is thrilled that 9 year old Eliana Lamberton will be starring in BBC N Irelands latest local Drama ” Hope Street”. This show was filmed in Donaghadee which became the fictional town of Port Devine. Each episode focuses on a different character and we are excited to watch Eliana stars in Episode 5 to be shown on Wednesday 22nd December.

BSPA was also delighted that Alumni pupil Louis McCartney also starred in this series at the young Shay O’Hare. Two young stars of the future.

BSPA were so proud to hear that BSPA Belfast AM Pupil Rebekah was representing N Ireland in the Semi Final of BBC Chorister of the year in the stunning Salisbury Cathedral.

Rebecca secured her place to represent Northern Ireland in the girls’ semi-final of the 2021 competition after competing against hundreds of other entrants from schools right across the UK. The 16-year-old, a student at Strathearn School, is also a member of the Belfast Philharmonic Youth Chamber Choir and the National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland.

The semi-final was recorded in Salisbury Cathedral, and the adjudicators were Aled Jones, who presents the programme; composer Howard Goodall; vocal coach and presenter David Grant; and renowned soprano Lesley Garrett.

All of them had really positive comments on Rebekah’s semi-final performance, broadcast on BBC One television, and on Radio 2, on Sunday 21st November. The talented competed against four other girls seeking to secure a place in the grand final.

Rebekah’s stunning semi-final rendition of ‘He will hold me fast’, by Matt Merker and arranged for her by Jonathan Rea from New Irish Arts, was one of two video recordings Rebekah submitted as her entry to the competition last May.

We were thrilled when we Rebekah was one of three girls to reach the competition final on December 5 where she will perform her second song, ‘Midwinter’ (Bob Chilcott) as she takes on boy and girl finalists from across the UK in her bid for the prestigious title.

In addition to the title of BBC Young Chorister Of The Year 2021 and a trophy, the winner will appear on Songs of Praise and take part in BBC Radio recordings.

Her performance can be watched on BBC iplayer

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0011vnf/songs-of-praise-young-chorister-of-the-year-girls-semifinal

We wish Rebekah well for the final on Sunday 5th December

BSPA Pupils were thrilled to get the chance to appear on the Stage of the newly refurbished Grand Opera House in Belfast Operatic Company’s production of “A Christmas Carol”

Pupil Duarte Silva Moriera who played the part of Tiny Tim was joined by fellow pupils Olivia Pyper, Cora Magee, Leo McDermot, Isla Torney and Amelie Thorpe.

What a wonderful experience for our children to take part in this fantastic show playing to full houses all week. It was especially exciting as they were performing with many of our BSPA teachers who played many of the principal roles including Matthew Campbell (Jacob Marley) Simon Pyper ( Ghost of Christmas Present) , Kirsten Magee ( Granny Chuzzlewit), Wendy Pyper ( Mrs Mop) Taylor Wills (dancer) and Adam Darcy ( Musical Director)

Stage Photos courtesy of Melissa Gordon

BSPA were delighted to represent N Ireland at the MTI Europe Junior Theatre Festival in the ICC Birmingham on Sunday 24th October. This was the first time since Lockdown that the Festival had been able to take place and excited performers from all over the UK.

The team had to perform a ten Minute segment from any Broadway jr production using no props or costume and the Creative team of Director Peter Corry, Musical Director Adam Darcy and Choreographer Oprah Devit choose the Dr Seuss inspired ‘Seussical Jr”

The performance was judged by Alex Parker ( Westend Musical Director), Lotte Wakeham( Westend Associated Director) and John Prignano( COO and Education and Development MTI) and we were delighted with the feedback given focusing on how well our pupils interpreted and told the story of the musical and worked together as a team. Competition was tough but we were thrilled when the word came through that we had been awarded ‘Outstanding Production” which gave us the opportunity to perform a clip on the main stage in front of all the other schools. What a thrill and privilege for our pupils many of whom had not performed on a stage for around two years.

Our pupils had an incredible day and also participated in workshops by West End performers, and watched a concert by West end stars Emma Williams and Matthew Croke and above all met with other like minded pupils.

BSPA are thrilled to announce they will be attending the 2022 Festival in Birmingham on Saturday 20th May 2022. Auditions will be held in the New year