More than thirty talented young performers from Sutton Coldfield experienced the thrill of a lifetime this month, sharing the stage with the celebrated opera group G4 for a magical Christmas concert at the historic Lichfield Cathedral.
A Festive Spectacle in a Historic Setting
As part of G4's extensive nationwide Christmas tour, the young performers aged six to 18 from the Pauline Quirke Academy (PQA) of Performing Arts joined the quartet on stage. They performed a selection of beloved festive songs, including "Walking In The Air" and "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday", to a packed and enthusiastic audience.
The spectacular performance was the result of seven weeks of dedicated rehearsals. During this intensive preparation period, the students worked closely with expert singing coaches from the academy and committed to practicing at home to perfect their songs.
Life-Changing Experiences for Young Talent
Elisa Gorle, Principal of PQA Sutton Coldfield, expressed her immense pride. "It means so much to our young people to perform on a professional stage alongside G4," she said. "PQA is their safe creative space every Saturday, and being able to take that confidence and passion onto a professional stage is an incredible and truly memorable experience for them."
The sentiment was echoed by the young performers themselves. One of the students, Karran, shared his excitement: "Performing with G4 was such an incredible experience, especially in Lichfield Cathedral at this special time of year. It really got me into the Christmas spirit! Their voices were amazing, and I felt immersed singing with them."
A Nationwide Initiative for Aspiring Artists
This collaboration was not an isolated event. It forms part of a larger series of 18 special performances across the UK, involving hundreds of young performers from PQA academies nationwide. This initiative is designed to give aspiring artists a genuine taste of a professional performance environment within their local area.
G4, who first shot to fame on the inaugural series of The X Factor in 2004, have enjoyed a successful career. Their debut album, featuring a signature rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody", went straight to number one. Since reuniting in 2014, the group has continued to tour extensively, bringing their unique blend of pop and opera to audiences across the country.
At PQA Sutton Coldfield, Principal Elisa and her team of professional teachers are dedicated to fostering a safe and inclusive space. The academy encourages young people to learn the latest performing arts techniques while being themselves. The curriculum extends beyond singing and dancing, offering opportunities to explore comedy, story writing, and TV and filmmaking.
For those inspired by this story and interested in joining the academy, you can book a free session by visiting the PQA Sutton Coldfield website.
