As Archbishop for the Archdiocese of Armagh I am thrilled that the National Schools Singing Programme will be offered in the coming years to support regular, high quality singing tuition within and beyond Armagh primary schools. This follows the successful pilot scheme and roll out of the programme earlier this year and including the Newry Cathedral Parish in the Diocese of Dromore. My episcopal motto is ‘Sing a new song to the Lord’ and I love to seize any initiative which will help give young people the joy of singing and praying sacred music. Of course young people love to sing! It is good for their confidence and for building listening skills and promoting harmony and self-esteem. This fabulous singing initiative is in its infancy in Armagh and it is my hope that it will flourish to provide excellent choral foundations in the Cathedral city and beyond. Our vision is that the young people who join the programme will help to refresh our church choirs right across our parishes as the programme develops.

Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh