Teachers and pupils from Scoil Íde, Curranes National School recently experienced the thrill of taking part in the amazing Peace Proms in the impressive University of Limerick Sports Arena.
Under the baton of the inspirational conductor, Greg Beardsell, the idea grew from the 1995 established Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland.
Peace Proms is for all primary school choirs whether established or starting out and it has a musical programme tailor made to ensure it is fun and engaging for children aged between eight and 12 years.
Due to a family involvement recently I had the privilege of being in the audience for a performance at the end of January and noticed in the concert brochure that Scoil Íde had been there the previous weekend.
Because of the enormity of the event and the levels of preparation involved, I asked principal Emer Nelligan if she would ask her ‘Peace Prom Stars’ for their reactions to the event and their parts in it.
In the following you’ll find repetition on the bus trip and mealtimes and so on.
However, the accounts are tinged right through with pure excitement from the early morning gathering at the school gate to the final notes and the thundering applause for their giant /joint performance in the massive arena on a day they will never forget.
By Isabel, Aaron and Alex
We got up very early on Sunday 22 nd January because we were performing in the Peace Proms in U.L. We had to be at school by 8.45am. The bus left the school at 8.50am.
The bus journey lasted 1 hour and 30 minutes. After eating, we went into the U.L. Sports Arena. We got our photo taken outside the complex. There was a lot of people in the arena. The hall was very impressive. There was a huge orchestra, smoke machines and lots of lights.
We had a rehearsal with the orchestra. After that we ate our lunch. Members of the audience entered the hall. The concert started at 1pm and finished at 3.30pm. We sang lots of songs.
We danced a lot too. We interacted with the audience when we were singing. We sang ‘Sky Full of Stars.’ The audience lit up their phones and waved them in the air as we sang.
The musicians played a wide range of musical instruments, including violins, drums, guitars and harps. There were even musicians marching and playing the bagpipes.
The concert concluded at 3.30pm and we went home. It was a great experience and we had the best day out. – Isabel Walmsley, Aaron Horan and Alex Barrett of Sixth Class.
By Cathal and Maeve of Sixth Class and Michael and Abigail of Fifth Class.
We arrived at school at 8.40am. We sat in pairs on the bus. The journey lasted an hour and a half. When we arrived at U.L. we ate a snack on the bus.
We then took a number of photos outside the university building before entering.
When we went into the arena, we noticed that the orchestra was practicing. We were directed to our seats on the stage. We had a rehearsal with the orchestra.
After the rehearsal, we had a lunch break. While we were eating, the parents started to arrive.
At 1pm the show started. First of all the orchestra played. Afterwards, we sang Amazing Grace. The last song to be sung was You’re the Voice. During the show, we used actions that we had choreographed at school.
When the show was over the parents left the hall. Some pupils went home with their parents and other pupils went home by bus. It was a great experience. – Cathal Quirke and Maeve Ellis of Sixth Class and Michael O’Connell and Abigail Walsh-Kelleher of Fifth Class.
By Darragh, Kuba, Daniel and Abbie
We arrived at school at 8.30am on Sunday 22nd January. The bus arrived at 8.40am and we departed at 8.45am.
The journey took an hour and forty-five minutes. After arriving in U.L., we ate on the bus for ten minutes.
We took a picture outside the U.L. Sports Arena before going inside and taking our seats on the top right-hand corner of the stage. We rehearsed all of the songs with the orchestra before eating our lunch.
After lunch, members of the audience entered the arena. The concert commenced at 1pm. It was very enjoyable. There were dancers, singers and musicians performing. All members of the choir had to wear a special uniform of a white top and dark pants.
After the show, some people went home by car and other people went home by bus. We really enjoyed singing in the University of Limerick. – Darragh Horan, Kuba Marut, Daniel Riordan and Abbie O’Donoghue of Sixth Class.
By Alex, Julie and Darren
We arrived at the school at 8.30am and departed the school at 8.45am.
The journey to the University of Limerick took an hour and a half. When we arrived at U.L. we ate our lunch on the bus.
After eating our lunch, we entered the Sports Arena and took our seats on the stage. There was a screen above our heads so that the audience could see us more clearly. From our seats, we could see the orchestra, the dancers and the audience.
During the concert, there was a range of flashing lights, smoke & many rounds of applause. After the concert we went back to the bus and ate some food.
We returned to school at 5.30pm and our parents collected us. We had an amazing day. – Alex Guerin-Ryan, Julie McAuliffe and Darren McAuliffe of Fifth Class.
By Emily, Conor and Aoife
As soon as we entered the U.L. Sports Arena, we were mesmerised by the beautiful lights and huge choir. Once we found our seats on the stage, we sat down and had a little chat.
Then we started practicing our songs with the orchestra. Our favourite songs were Live Your Story and Feel This Moment.
After a while, members of the audience started to enter the building. Then we started to sing and dance. We were brilliant. We loved the part when the ballerinas came on stage.
After the show, some pupils went home by car and others went home by bus. We all had a great Sunday. We hope we can do it again next January. – Emily Murphy, Conor Flynn and Aoife Begley of Third Class.
By: Alana, Liam and Cillian
On Sunday 22 nd January, Ms. Nelligan’s and Mrs. Sweeney’s classes went to the University of Limerick for the Peace Proms.
We arrived at school and hopped on the bus at 8.45am. We arrived at U.L. at 10.05am. There were over 3,000 people there. The orchestra and dancers were good.
First of all, we had a rehearsal. Then we saw family members entering the arena. After a while the lights came on and we started to perform. It was so much fun.
We sang lots of songs and we danced. The songs included: Brothers in Arms, Amazing Grace, Hall of Fame and I’m a Believer.
After the show, some pupils went home by car and some went home by bus. Everyone had a really good day. – Alana Walmsley, Liam Stack and Cillian Murphy of Fourth Class.
By: Óisín, Saoirse and Abbie
On Sunday, January 22nd third, fourth, fifth and sixth classes went to the Peace Proms in U.L. Everyone arrived at school at approximately 8.30am.
A bus came to pick us up at 8.40am. It took an hour and a half to get to U.L. in Limerick. When the bus driver found parking, Ms.
Nelligan and Mrs. Sweeney told us to take out our lunches we ate them on the bus.
When we had finished our lunches, we got off the bus. We were really excited. Ms. Nelligan and Mrs. Sweeney made sure that everyone was safe as we walked to the Sports Arena.
Before going into the Sports Arena, the teachers took our pictures outside the University of Limerick. Then we went inside. We practised the songs with the orchestra before members of the audience came in.
Then the show began. There was a big orchestra and nice lights. We really enjoyed performing.
After the show, everyone gathered their belongings and went on the bus. Some pupils went home by car. After all the hard work, everyone had a brilliant day. – Óisín Tarrant, Saoirse Horan and Abbie McGaley, Third Class.
By Shinora, Malwina and Eddie
We got up early got ready to attend the Peace Proms in the University of Limerick.
We had to wear a white top and black bottoms. Ms. Nelligan’s and Mrs. Sweeney’s classes reached the school at 8.30am.
We then got on the bus. One and a half hours later, we arrived at U.L. We went inside the Sports Arena. There were so many people there. We sat down and ate. We heard the orchestra practicing. We then had a rehearsal with the orchestra.
At 1pm the show started. We sang Hall of Fame. The choir and the orchestra took turns performing. We were amazing. Halfway through the performance there was an interval.
After the interval, we sang some more songs. Dancers and solo singers performed also. It was a fun day. Everyone was thankful for it. – Shinora Bell, Malwina Marut and Eddie Marek of Third Class.
By Connie, Aoibhlín and Jake
The children in Ms. Nelligan’s and Mrs. Sweeney’s classes went to the University of Limerick on Sunday, January 22nd.
We were performing in the Peace Proms. We had to be at school early because the bus was departing at 8.45am.
When we arrived at U.L. we had something to eat. Once we had eaten, we got off the bus and went into the Sports Arena. We had a practice before the audience arrived. The orchestra was amazing.
When the practice was over, members of the orchestra changed into suits and dresses. The doors of the arena were then opened and members of the audience began to arrive.
The performance began when the members of the audience and the orchestra had settled into their seats. The lights were dimmed. There were lots and lots of songs. They included: Live Your Story, Amazing Grace, Hall of Fame, Brothers in Arms, I’m a Believer, Pop Medley 2023 and our personal favourite Kids Dance Medley 2023. It was our favourite because it was long and varied.
When the show concluded, everyone clapped. We all bowed and left the stage, walking in neat rows. Some children went home by bus and other children went home by car. Everyone had a great time at the Peace Proms. – Connie Brosnan of Fourth Class with Aoibhlín McMahon and Jake Murphy of Third Class.
You can contact The Maine Valley Post on… Anyone in The Maine Valley Post catchment area who would like to send us news and captioned photographs for inclusion can send them to: jreidy@mainevalleypost.com Queries about advertising and any other matters regarding The Maine Valley Post can also be sent to that address or just ring: 087 23 59 467.
