Music

An important part of Music Department policy is that students, in addition to normal classroom activities, should participate in as much extra-curricular music-making as possible. The SELB has a network of ensembles, bands and orchestras in which many girls from Sacred Heart take part. Within the school itself two orchestras cater for different levels of competence: the Junior Orchestra (Grade 1+) and the Senior Orchestra (Grade 4+) rehearse after school and perform during the year at Open Night, Newry Feis and other occasions which might arise.

There are two school choirs: the Junior Choir (years 8-10), which rehearses after school, is selected by audition and many of these singers move on to the Senior Choir, which rehearses during two lunchtimes per week. Like the orchestras the choirs are also called upon to perform at many events during the year.

In April 2000 the school’s Senior Choir had the honour of winning the Grammar School section of the UTV School Choir of the Year competition. This was the first time this competition was won by a grammar school from outside the Belfast area. The winning programme included a captivating performance of the wordless Mountain Nights by the Hungarian composer Kodaly

The most important cultural event in the school is the biennial musical production which brings together the Music Department (singers and orchestra) with Drama, Dance, Art and Business Studies, the most recent production being The Mikado.

Visits to cultural events are also organised throughout the year (often in conjunction with other departments). In recent years these have included operas at the Grand Opera House in Belfast and concerts at the Waterfront Hall and Ulster Hall.

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