Birmingham Students Prepare for Major 30th Anniversary Concert
Approximately three hundred talented young singers from six Catholic schools across Birmingham are set to come together in a remarkable musical collaboration this March. They will form a massed choir for a special anniversary performance of Born for This - The Way of the Cross at the prestigious Symphony Hall Birmingham. For many participants, this event will represent their very first opportunity to perform on one of the United Kingdom's most celebrated and acoustically renowned stages.
Six Schools Unite for Landmark Production
The participating students hail from St Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, Bishop Challoner Catholic College, Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School, St Peter's Catholic School, St John Wall Catholic School, and John Henry Newman Catholic School. This large-scale concert will take place at the 2,000-seat Symphony Hall venue, creating a significant cultural event for the city. The production commemorates the thirtieth anniversary of Born for This, a work originally created by Birmingham-based composer Jo Boyce of CJM Music.
Intergenerational Celebration of Music and Faith
To properly honour this substantial milestone, the cast will feature a thoughtful blend of past performers and newcomers, fostering a meaningful intergenerational collaboration. Rehearsals have already commenced, bringing together current students and former cast members under the expert direction of Jo Boyce. These sessions are united by a shared passion for music and a collective commitment to the production's message.
Organisers emphasise that for numerous young participants, the Symphony Hall performance will be an inspiring and potentially transformative experience, marking their debut on a major professional stage. The event powerfully demonstrates how music and faith can strengthen community bonds and create valuable opportunities for emerging artistic talent.
Commemorating Three Decades of Performance
"Thirty years is quite an innings… I can't quite get my head around it!" remarked Jo Boyce of CJM Music. "This landmark production of Born for This—at one of the most iconic performance venues in the UK—feels an especially fitting way to celebrate what feels like a HUGE milestone."
The production has a rich history, having been previously staged at notable venues including St Chad’s Cathedral in Birmingham and the historic Westminster Abbey in London. The upcoming concert at Symphony Hall represents a new chapter in this enduring musical journey.
The performance is scheduled for 25 March 2026. This event promises to be a memorable celebration of local talent, community spirit, and three decades of a significant musical work rooted in Birmingham's cultural landscape.
