Three of our Trust schools - Carmel College, St. Bede’s Catholic Primary School, and St. John’s Catholic School & Sixth Form College - recently travelled to Newcastle to take part in the North East Choir of the Year 2026 at the iconic Glasshouse ICM. It was a day filled with music, teamwork, and unforgettable experiences as our young singers took to a professional stage and shared their talents alongside choirs from across the region.
For all three schools, the event was about far more than competition; it was a celebration of commitment, creativity, and the joy of performing together.
Carmel College – A Show‑stopping Performance
Carmel’s senior choir lit up the stage with a vibrant &Juliet medley, filling the Glasshouse with energy and confidence. Their performance earned glowing feedback from the judging panel, who praised the choir’s strong presence and excellent vocal balance.
Months of rehearsals, dedication, and passion came together in one uplifting moment on stage. As Carmel shared:
“Our &Juliet medley brought the house down and received fantastic feedback from the judges, who praised our strong choir presence and excellent vocal balance. Months of rehearsals, commitment, and passion all came together on stage, and we could not be prouder of this amazing team.”
Their hard work shone, and Carmel were delighted to be crowned Senior Choir Champions - a proud achievement built on teamwork and love for music.
St. Bede’s Catholic Primary School – Young Voices, Big Impact
St. Bede’s choir, led by Mrs Derbyshire, delivered a performance that captured the hearts of everyone in the auditorium. Their enthusiasm, unity, and musicality were clear from the very first note. The school proudly shared:
“Mrs Derbyshire and her choir have completely blown us away and have been crowned REGIONAL Choir of the Year 2026 today at the Glasshouse in Gateshead!”
While the title is a wonderful recognition of their talent, what stood out most was the sheer joy and confidence these young singers showed on stage. For many, it was their first time performing at such a scale, and they embraced the moment beautifully.
St. John’s Catholic School & Sixth Form College – A Performance to Be Proud Of
St. John’s brought their senior choir to the Glasshouse stage, where they delivered a thoughtful and musically rich performance. The judges commended the group for their sense of ensemble and impressive ability to navigate tricky three‑part harmonies - a remarkable achievement at this level.
As St. John’s put it:
“Whilst they weren't winners this time, they performed confidently and beautifully, with the judges commending them on their sense of ensemble and ability to handle some tricky 3-part harmonies.”
Their performance highlighted the school’s growing choral strength and the commitment of students who have worked hard to develop their voices as a team.
A Day of Music Worth Celebrating
What all three schools demonstrated - on stage and behind the scenes - was the power of music to bring young people together. Whether performing for the first time or returning with years of experience, every student took away something valuable: confidence, teamwork, and the thrill of sharing their voice with others.
We are incredibly proud of Carmel, St. Bede’s, and St. John’s for representing our Trust with passion, professionalism, and true musical spirit. Their achievements, both collective and individual, are a testament to the dedication of their choir leaders, teachers, and families who support them every step of the way. A huge well done to all involved - and here’s to many more unforgettable moments of music making.
