Eglantine NS pupils on song for their 21st Schoolovision Song Contest

The event might not quite have been ‘Leeside’s Got Talent’, but a midday concert in a Douglas primary school featured some fantastic songs and spirited performances from some of Cork’s most promising young acts.

Eglantine Girls NS on the Douglas Rd held its 21st Schoolovision Song Contest recently, and — as always — it was a huge hit with pupils, teachers, and parents alike.

A day of excitement and fun for everyone, Schoolovision featured original songs written and performed by pupils.

This year saw 37 initial entries, and after deliberations by the outside adjudicator from the Cork School of Music, that number was whittled down to the final 10 acts.

Pupils recorded their songs for the school website, meaning that on the big day, everyone in the audience knew the songs and sang along.

The decibel levels were through the roof as screaming supporters waved banners for their favourite bands.

School principal Geraldine O’Brien told the audience: “I am so proud of every performer here today.”

The bands The Rebels and The Sporty Gals sang of their great love of sport, while The Timekeepers, featuring Sophia MacCanskey on guitar, were reminiscent of The Mamas and Papas.

Mia McPhilbin, a fourth class pupil, sang a solo entry entitled Finding My Way,its lyrics — “You are perfect/ you are so cool/ you don’t have to be like anyone else/ just you” — stuck a chord with many of those is the hall.

The Dreamcatchers were a big hit with the crowd, and they said they loved the rousing reception they received.

Faye Donovan’s solo, Stepping Stones to Success, brought tears to the eyes of many in the auditorium, with several people singing along with the lines: “If you ever fail/ just stand up tall/ Don’t call them fails/ don’t call them mess-ups/ call them stepping stones to success.”

The band Citizens of Corryland —New Generation said they had named their group after their teacher Mr Corry, which he had accepted as “a huge honour”.

The group PB and J had the audience joining in their song Silly Sandwich, while the band Tiny Tacos were waxing lyrical about their favourite food, which is indeed tacos.

The final song of the day, A Rebel Summer, came from soloist Georgia O’Connor, and its lyrics — “1,2,3,4 if you’re a rebel, let me hear you roar/ Down in Pairc Ui Chaoimh, chilling all summer/ going back to school will be a bummer” went down a treat.

For Georgia’s mum, Amy, an Eglantine past pupil, it was a full circle moment, as she had performed in the very first Schoolovision.

The show was presented by Maria Boland and Ellie Calliss, dubbed the new Ant and Dec, while the stage crew Rose, Catherine, Karla, Aoibhinn, Ciara, and Lauren ran the event with consummate ease.

After the singers, there was Irish dancing from traditionalist terpsichoreans Alia, Jessica, Roisin McL, Roisin O’Sull, Clara and Roisin C.

And to finish off the show on a spectacular note, there was The Secret Act, and this year, a number of staff members dressed up and danced to K-Pop Demon Hunters’ song, Golden, giving pupils a great laugh at their antics.

As always, Schoolovision was a day to remember for everyone who gathered for it, proving yet again that Leeside definitely has got talent.