ST Patrick’s Junior Choir from Co. Down have made it through to the live semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent.
The school’s stunning performance in the audition round earned the students over a million views on YouTube and a place in the live shows.
The rural primary school has just 80 pupils, almost half of which are members of the school choir.
The choir, which includes children between the ages of 8 and 12, were asked to audition for the show after winning Radio Ulster’s school choir of the year in 2016.
After getting through to the next round, the school are set to perform live on Monday night (May 29) on ITV at 7.30pm – when two acts will make it through to the final by a public vote.
The primary school which is situated just outside Rathfriland in Co. Down has just 80 pupils in total, almost half of which are members of the school choir.
Choir Director Patricia McCaughey, who has taught at the school for the last 27 years, said the key to her pupils’ success is in their love for music.
“Our pupils just love to sing. You will hear them chirping away in the corridors, in the playground and in the classroom, practicing all day long. It creates a really lovely atmosphere in the school,” Ms McCaughey said.
“We’ve had a choir in the school for as long as I remember, but this particular group of children are very special.
“They really connect with the music and the lyrics, and you can tell they enjoy every minute of performing. I think the judges from Britain’s Got Talent could see that and that’s why they loved them so much.”
Principal of St Patrick’s Primary School, Sorcha Lyness added: “We are absolutely thrilled that our choir have made it through to the live shows of Britain’s Got Talent.
“We already knew that we had a talented bunch here at St Patrick’s but it is so nice to have them recognised in this way.
“The children throughout the school are so excited to be both performing on the night and, for some, to watch their best friends on the television on Monday night.
“The choir have worked really hard in the run up to the live shows so I really hope everyone can get behind us and vote for St Patrick’s Junior Choir.”
Ms McCaughey and all the children at St Patrick’s Primary School are urging everyone to get behind them and vote on Monday evening.
Votes can be cast by phone or for free via the Britain’s Got Talent App.
