VCB Prep only NI school selected for Barnardo's National Choir Competition finals
Victoria College Belfast Prep chamber choir compete next week in Birmingham
Last updated 27th Feb 2026
A Belfast school chamber choir is preparing to travel to Birmingham next week to compete in the Barnardo's National Choir competition.
Victoria College Belfast Prep is the only school finalist from Northern Ireland this year.
They will compete against 15 other junior choirs at the Symphony Hall in the city, in the UK's biggest community and school choir competition.
While the National Choir Competition showcases young people’s talents, it also raises funds to help young people feel safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful.
In 2025 Barnardo's welcomed 1100 young performers from school and community choirs from across the UK, including Northern Ireland and raised over £35,000.
The charity provided essential support to 18,000 children, young people, parents and carers through more than 40 services and partnerships across Northern Ireland last year.
VCB pupils and choir members Lilly Mann, Isla Porter and Charlotte Stockdale told our reporter Tara Griffiths they are looking forward to the experience:
"We're really excited and nervous to go and it's a great opportunity for us.
"We think we have a good chance at winning but we're really nervous about the other choirs because we don't know how good they are and anything about them."
Music Co-Ordinator Naomi Nixon who runs the chamber choir is accompanying the girls on the trip and says they have been practicing hard in preparation:
"I'm so proud of them, they've just worked so hard and their hard work has paid off.
"I have just been telling them to go over there and sing the way they've been singing because they've already made us super proud and whatever happens they will be superstars on the stage next week."
The Barnardo's National Choir Competition 2026 grand finals take place on Tuesday, 3 March at Birmingham Symphony Hall.