Testimonials

Dear CBOI,

After my son, aged 11 years, and I attended your performance in Belfast (7pm show) where my daughter aged 9 years was singing with the choir, I decided to write and share my feelings with you. First of all, I’m not rich at all but I do take my kids to all kind of music shows at least 5 to 6 times a year. It’s our treat days out – Irish Video Game Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, Blue Planet Live and also more modern bands. I have been myself to many concerts, big ones in big stadiums, and small ones etc.

Wishing you a warm congratulations on the Peace Proms, and the 25th year celebrations. Yesterday was simply amazing and I just wanted to thank you for bringing the music to Mullaghbuoy. Seeing Charlie on stage yesterday with the orchestra, the choir, the torches, the lights… I was holding back the tears, (unsuccessfully) it was so, so beautiful. Afterwards, asking him what it was like being up there, he said he felt like his stomach was going to explode with happiness looking out at what was like a sea of stars. He loved every minute of it. So again, a big thank you for such an amazing show, day and opportunity.

Caoimhe and Charlie

Thank you so much, yet again, for organising such a great event. As ever, our children really enjoyed the experience on Saturday, and so many parents gave us positive feedback too. Can I also add that this year’s logistic arrangements were terrific and made this part of the day run so smoothly – less stress for school staff! Thank you. We look forward to joining you again next year.
Best wishes,

Sarah, Deputy Headteacher, Scotforth St. Paul’s Primary School, Lancaster

On behalf of our students, staff and parents I would just like to say a heartfelt thank you to each member of your Peace Proms team for giving our pupils one of the most memorable experiences of their primary school years. This was our first year to take part in Peace Proms and from start to finish it was one of the most efficient, well organised & inspiring programmes our school has been involved in. The music repertoire not only gave us opportunity to teach a wide variety of music genres but to show children the power and positive influence music can have. Rehearsals both in school and in Dublin brought smiles to the faces of staff and pupils alike. This fun and enjoyment turned to awe and wonder when given the opportunity to sing with 2500 other children and a full symphony orchestra in such a professional and outstanding show last Saturday night. As we are a very small school with only 44 children this was a very special night for children and their parents- it has been the talk of the playground, staffroom and parent pick up point all week with everyone eager to show others the videos or photos they took! I would just like to say a huge thank you again from everyone in St. John’s N.S for the work, time, energy and passion you put into what you do. We will definitely be first in line to apply for next year’s programme &. Cannot recommend it enough to others!
Kind regards,

Sharon, Organising teacher

This was the first time since I have been here that our school participated in Peace Proms and I have to say, the reaction of the parents afterwards blew me away. I had been to see the concert last year and knew how amazing it would be. The kids really enjoyed learning the songs and the workshop with Greg helped them to understand how it would all come together. However, the parents had suspected they were going along to see a few songs being sung and were wondering how the show was going to last over 2 hours! The feedback that I got afterwards was so positive – parents were thanking us for allowing their children to have the opportunity to take part in such a wonderful event, some of them were even saying how emotional it all was. The kids themselves were on an absolute high on Monday morning, talking about how good it was and how they had not expected the experience to be so amazing. Thank you for all that you do and for all the effort that goes on behind the scenes. Thank you also to Sorcha and Martina for all of their hard work in registering schools, organising workshops, reminder emails and logistics on the day. Everything went so smoothly from the moment we arrived, to the handover of children to parents at the end. Last but not least, a huge thank you to Greg. He is so positive with the children from beginning to end. Even when the rehearsal on Sunday wasn’t going very well, he encouraged the children in such a positive way to try again and remember the little hints he had given them. It made for an amazing show as they took on board everything he had said. It was a wonderful experience for us all and we look forward to taking part again in the future. Kind regards and best wishes to you all,
Best wishes,

Amanda, SN Chaoimhín Naofa, Philipstown, Dunleer

I would like to say a huge thank you to you and all the team who made this possible. This is our 3rd year of Peace Proms and it was still just as special. There is a huge amount of work that goes into this from your side and we really appreciate it. Our children had an amazing time – it is an experience they will never forget, and we got lots of ‘thank yous’ and ‘well dones’ from parents, which is very unusual in our school! The whole event was amazing – the orchestra, dancers, musicians, Greg… everything about it! I did cry when all the torches came on for ‘A Million Dreams’ – I was a blubbering wreck! We will definitely be applying again – this really is the highlight of my year! Please pass on my thanks to everyone.

Jo, Bedford Primary School

I’d like to say that the show was one of the best I’ve ever been at. And that includes U2 in Croke Park. Great reaction from pupils and parents who attended. Looking forward to the next one. A big thank you to all involved.

Noel, Principal, Creagh NS

I wanted to write to you to say a heartfelt thank you for a wonderful Peace Proms 2020. This is my 3rd time as Principal participating in Peace Proms Galway and it was just fantastic. Greg’s energy and enthusiasm is incredible and he really motivates the children. And of course, it would not all go so well if you weren’t working away quietly behind the scenes! We are a small rural school and to bring our children to this performance is memorable for the children and their families. It is an amazing experience and we are lucky to have been part of it. So on behalf of myself, the teachers and the pupils in Claddaghduff N.S., thank you so much! We look forward to signing up for the next Peace Proms in Galway. Kind regards,

Laura. Principal, Claddaghduff N.S.

I want to thank you most sincerely for the wonderful experience our children and teachers had last Sunday night at the Galway Concert. It was amazing and certainly an evening that they will never forget. It our first time to participate in Peace Proms and it was worth the wait! We enjoyed it so much. Thank you for all your hard work and we look forward to participating again. Kindest Regards,.

Michele, Principal, Scoil Rois, Taylor’s Hill. Galway.

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for all your help this year. We had an amazing time at Peace Proms! We would have been devastated to have missed the concerts and more importantly the experience! The concert on Sunday afternoon was fantastic and the children had an amazing time. Feedback from parents was also massively positive. So, thanks again and well done to all in the Peace Proms team. We hope to be seeing you all again next year. Kind Regards,

Barry, Scoil Na Mainistreach, Celbridge

Just a little email to say how much we enjoyed your Prom. It had the WOW factor in abundance, the organisation was unbelievable, the talent amazing and what you all did in two hours was to be congratulated! Thank you again,

Corinne and Iris

I just want to thank you and all those thousands of talented people who made the extraordinary Peace Proms 2020 a reality. It was a dream and a delight to be there, thank you so much for the invite. What an honour to be there, amongst so much talent, joy and peace – it was inspiring to be a part of it! Greg was fantastic and the children gorgeous! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! With people like you in the world, peace and love will last and grow and grow…

Valerie Ringrose Fitzsimons

First of all I would like to complement you Sharon, Greg and the whole team on a phenomenal production – I’ve had messages all evening from parents who were absolutely blown away and my choir had the time of their lives – it was such a joyous and uplifting experience! It was our first year In Peace Proms and today was one of the highlights of my teaching career. Again, thank you all so much! Kind Regards,

Orla K

I know that you are all still in the throes of Peace Proms even though our bit is done, but I just wanted to say to you all, on behalf of our school, thank you so, so much. As with the other years when we took part, it was a fantastic event and our children (and staff) had an absolute ball! Your organisational abilities are amazing to be fair and it is great to know exactly what is going on and what to expect. The event itself and the music, lights, conducting, the orchestra, performers, audience, seating, all those are fantastic but it’s the people we don’t see that are pulling all that together and making it the event that it is. So, thank you, for all the hours and late nights and times when you felt like screaming at someone but you didn’t (me being one of those someone’s this year). Thank you so, so much. It was an amazing event and we all loved every second of it. Take care and hopefully see you next year.

Áisling and the staff and children of St Brigid’s NS

I want to express my SINCERE thanks, gratitude, awe and admiration to all involved in the Peace Proms 2020. It was an incredible and magical night to experience. This was the first year that our school was involved and we will most certainly apply again for next year. We had children with sensory needs & other special educational needs as part of our choir and they were absolutely thrilled with themselves. The feedback we are getting from parents is really positive and justly deserved. From the moment we arrived at the RDS the organisation of the event was obvious. The helpers were so calm, coordinated and helpful which made me a lot more relaxed!! A past pupil of our school was part of the Orchestra which added another level of pride for me as a teaching principal of a small rural school. Thanks again & keep up the good work!

Regards, Denise, Principal, Scoil Mhuire, Moynalty

I want to thank you and your team for a fabulous show on Sunday night. The children, staff and parents absolutely enjoyed every minute of it and we have been receiving wonderful feedback. Thank you also for all your support and getting back to me so promptly always. You definitely do not have an easy job but yourself and the organisers were always very professional and supportive. We are looking forward to Peace Proms 2021 already.

Kind regards, Joanne, Holmpatrick NS, Skerries

Dear Friends, On behalf of my wife Wendy and myself, I want to say how much we enjoyed the Liverpool concert on Saturday. To see and hear so many young voices and smiling faces, was wonderful.. the music, the orchestra, all the performers, made it a memorable occasion that will live long in our memories. Please pass on our sincere thanks, With very best wishes,

Colin Parry OBE JP, Chairman & Co – Founder, Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation

We just wanted to say a massive thanks to you and all involved in Peace Proms. It was a fantastic event and one that our children enjoyed immensely. We will definitely be continuing on the message we have learned in the songs. Thank you again for all the hard work and organisation that goes into such a production.

Belmayne ETNS, Dublin

I would very much like to thank you for the wonderful day we had at peace proms Sunday last. Both the staff and children had such fun and the show never ever disappoints – in fact it just gets better!! I received wonderful feedback from parents and for the parents who attended for the first time they were just amazed by the performance of the choir and orchestra. I would also like to commend your wonderful staff at the front line as they always help in any way they can and also never fail to get back to myself or secretary regarding queries we may have. Our school looks forward to joining you again for another peace proms in 2022. With kind regards,

Sarah, Carlanstown NS

Many congratulations to you and all your team for an outstanding performance at the RDS last Sunday. It was truly breathtaking, and feedback from my staff, pupils and parents has been so positive. My heartfelt congratulations on going from strength to strength over the last twenty-five years. Your tenacity, energy and enthusiasm to promote peace and harmony throughout Ireland is inspirational. I would be interested to promote violin classes in our school and if this opportunity could be facilitated, do get in touch. Keep up the great work and I wish you every success for the next twenty-five years.

Mise le meas, Aoibheann, Dromiskin

On behalf of all the staff and parents of our school, words will never express what the experience meant to the children and families. One dad stated that Sunday was the proudest moment in his life, as it was for many. It’s not often that something as magical as Sunday happens in the life of any school community. I was very proud and very grateful. It was magical. What you and your team has done for the children of our school is immeasurable. Thank you and congratulations.

Roz, Principal, St Joseph’s NS, Dundalk

What an absolutely amazing way to spend my Sunday afternoon. Was up last weekend (3rd Feb) with my daughter and her school St Michael’s National School Cootehill, Co.Cavan and I have to say it was amazing from start to finish! Everybody was fantastic! Absolute credit to their schools, teachers and us very proud parents. Cannot wait to get my DVD to relive the whole day. Once again, thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable day and a huge well done to everybody involved.

Kind Regards, Susan (veryproudmomma)

It was a phenomenal experience – I’ve had nothing but positive uplifting responses from parents and children. Such a joy – such an achievement – thank you so very much.

Kind Regards, Orla

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This was our first year at Peace Proms and it definitely won’t be our last. We had such a fantastic experience. The children loved every minute! We have had letters and cards from both the parents and children thanking us for bringing them. It was a magical experience from start to finish and I have to say doing the teacher summer course was really beneficial, especially as it was my first year. I picked up lots of tips and was delighted to meet some of the other teachers on Saturday in the RDS. I can’t wait to come back again next year. Thanks a million, Marissa, Pope John Paul II NS, Malahide. Thank you and the team for organising such a wonderful and memorable concert! I honestly have never seen my class so happy and I know they will always remember the fantastic experience that was Peace Proms 2020. We cannot wait until Peace Proms 2021! Very well done!

Joanne, Holmpatrick NS, Skerries, Co Dublin

We all thoroughly enjoyed the experience in Ballyboy. Our parents described it as a ‘spectacular’ and ‘phenomenal’ show! Many thanks for the enormous work that goes into organising it. It truly is a musical extravaganza and a fantastic experience for the children. Thank you for affording us the opportunity to partake. Kind Regards, Helen, Scoil Bhríde, Kilcormac, Co Offaly. I don’t know how to say ‘Thank You’! What an incredible day Sharon, to celebrate all the hard work by yourself, Marieclaire and the children. We are bursting with pride that a little school like ours could have been afforded such a wonderful experience. Thank you from all the children, parents and staff here at Mullaghbuoy National School. Now we MUST continue to develop these children as so many of them absolutely love making music.

Heartfelt thanks, Mairead

Thank you so much for the opportunity to participate in the Peace Proms Concert. The children, teachers and parents all had an amazing day. Virgin Mary Girls’ school is located in the heart of Ballymun and many of these children would rarely leave the area. We had an amazing turn out from children and parents. Everyone involved has memories that will last a lifetime. We look forward to working with you again.

Kind regards, Niamh, Principal, Virgin Mary Girls’ NS

We would like to send you our sincere thanks. Peace Proms 2020 was a really positive experience for all involved, this was our third year performing the concert and it was our best show yet. The children loved it and the parents were so moved and impressed by the choir and show. One parent reported that she cried with happiness for the first 20 minutes and another that it was genuinely one of the best shows she’d been to in a long time. We found it to be a particularly tight show and the acts were of a really high standard, Greg Bearsdell was especially relaxed, warm and entertaining. Thank you so much to all the volunteers on the day and to you and all the organisers, it’s a massive undertaking and one that seems all the more important in the climate of Brexit and change. Kindest regards Sharon to you and all the team and many thanks to you from all of us at Griffith Barracks Multi Denominational School.

Jenny, Anne Marie and Eddie, Griffith Barracks Multi Denominational School

Many thanks to you and the CBOI team for putting the Peace Proms concert together, it was a superb event and certainly memorable for all our pupils who participated. The energy and enthusiasm of Greg, in particular, the soloists and the orchestra certainly brought the best out of the children. One point of conversation in the playground this morning was Greg’s beatboxing; the ‘kids’ were impressed! I hope we can get the opportunity to be involved again next year, good luck in any further concerts; they will be great!

Best regards, Henry, Principal, St Anne’s Corkey

Thank you so so much! Our children had a wonderful time last night: what an uplifting and magical experience which will live on in their memories for years to come! We have been looking back at the footage all day and re-living every note, every dance move and every gasp of wonder. We can’t wait to do it all again next year!

Kind regards Denise, Principal

Thank you all so much for allowing our little school this indescribable opportunity for our wonderful children. We have all been high as kites since Saturday, teachers included haha! Once again, a huge THANK YOU to the entire team. We have everything crossed that we can do it all again next year!!! We can’t wait!!!

Kathryn, choir lead at St Joseph’s Primary, Upton

Can I just say a MASSIVE THANK YOU to all involved in The Peace Proms. Our pupils and parents had one of the most memorable experiences of their lives yesterday in Belfast. We had parents and grandparents moved to tears and the feedback on our school Facebook page is unbelievable. I can’t wait to do it all again.

Janice, St. Paul’s Primary School

This weekend was my third year in a row to attend the Peace Proms; first year was as a teacher, last year was as a parent and this year as a principal. I thoroughly enjoyed each year, but I really think this year was special. I loved every minute of it and felt truly inspired all weekend afterwards. The future of Ireland is bright: so much talent, co-operation and joy on display! Keep up the good work!

Pádhraic, Principal

I would like to express our huge congratulations to the entire CBOI and Peace Proms organising committee for organising such an enjoyable event. Our school children and teachers had an absolute blast and enjoyed both the preparation and show. The orchestra were just magical in their performances and really added to the electrifying atmosphere. The children’s parents commented on how proud they were that their children were able to be part of such an amazing event. Thank you all so much and we look forward to being part of the Peace Proms choir next year.

Kind regards, Emma-Jayne, St Patrick’s PS Craigavon

Thank you so much to everybody, yourselves, Sharon, Greg, orchestra members and all the Peace Proms team for another fabulous concert this year. We, in St. Joseph’s B.N.S., are so delighted to be able to give our pupils the wonderful experience that is the CBOI Peace Proms. The boys and their parents who attended the concert on Sunday afternoon were absolutely blown away by it. It was, to quote some of them “a WOW concert”! It’s just such a great feeling to know that we have given these children such a positive, uplifting and memorable experience. Thank you again and continued good luck with your wonderful work in providing young people (& older alike) with the joy of music. “Music gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and charm and gaiety to life and to everything,”- Plato. Well done & best wishes for the future.

Paul & Patricia, St. Joseph’s B.N.S., Carrickmacross

Sharon, thank you for your hard work, dedication and vision. Please keep helping to make so many dreams come true. It means a lot to us to have well-chosen, enjoyable songs to learn and to have an opportunity for all to sing with others in such a professional concert. We wish you well with your remaining concerts on the tour. We’ll be looking forward to your return to Galway in 2020, adding to our City of Culture celebrations.

Kind regards, Maura and all in Bushypark N.S.

Thank you all for affording us such a fantastic experience to sing with the Galway Peace Proms Choir along with the CBOI during your recent weekend in the West. As always, singing with the other choir members along with a truly amazing orchestra was exhilarating and uplifting. Thank you to all the orchestra musicians and their parents for your dedication, awe-inspiring commitment and infectious enthusiasm. Thank you to Greg for your energy, encouragement and unswerving good humour. You brought out the best in us! Our parents, grandparents and other guests were thrilled by the concert and have been passing on their congratulations in the past week. It was a truly memorable occasion for all our students and teachers. Thank you to all the team for making the entire Peace Proms experience so positive and rewarding from the very start of the journey when we first registered before the Summer. Your attention to every detail and super communication throughout added to our positive experience. Thank you all so much for the opportunity to take part in such a magnificent show. It was our school’s first time taking part in Peace Proms and already I can’t wait for 2021 when you come back to Limerick. We had some very tired but happy children arrive at school yesterday morning. So many parents and grandparents came to me on Sunday night to congratulate us. We have received cards and wonderful compliments in the school playground before school, praising the energy and enthusiasm of everyone involved. Parents have described the experience as being so uplifting, some of them wanting to go out on the town to celebrate further (if they didn’t have children to look after!), such was their enjoyment of the show. On a personal note, I found it all so rewarding and despite the hard work, would do it all over again in a heartbeat. You are an amazing group of people to be able to coordinate everything and I want to express a huge thank you on behalf of all of our staff to all the wonderfully talented people that took part in the show, and the people behind the scenes who made the whole thing possible.

Kevin, Deputy Principal and Peace Proms Coordinator

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for another fabulous experience on Sunday night. The music, atmosphere and craic was fantastic and the orchestra was so professional and polished. We have taken part every single year that you were able to come to Galway and it has become a permanent feature in our school calendar year. We left the Kingfisher Sunday night on an absolute high! When Greg mentioned that six CBOI members were from Galway – I had a goosebump moment. Four of those musicians are past members of the Scoil Iognáid choir. I am very proud of them and not a little envious of the musical experiences and the adventures that they have had and will continue to have!! The best of luck with the rest of your musical year and I hope that you will be back to Galway next year again. Kindest regards and many thanks,

Laoise, Scoil Iognáid, Galway

Dear Peace Proms Team, you are just AMAZING. We had the most incredible time performing as part of the Liverpool Peace Choir and it is a genuine honour to do so! The children feel SO lucky to share their love of music on such a grand scale with so many other children and such wonderfully talented musicians. You are simply phenomenal for organising everything in such a straightforward way in what really is quite little time! Please pass our thanks on to Greg who was absolutely amazing with the children and is so inspirational. All we can say is THANK YOU!

Anonymous

My daughter took part in the Sunday evening performance in the RDS. A huge congratulations to all involved with what can only be described as an outstanding, inspiring, uplifting and emotional event. To see 2,500 chil- dren coming together in such a fun, energetic way, with the innocence of not only their voices but of the whole production where there were no agendas or otherwise, was truly magical and a memory I will hold dear. The pureness of the night is something we should all strive for in our daily lives. A fantastic initiative – well done to all!

Mia

Just to say thank you to you, to you all. This is my third year taking part in the Peace Proms and both myself, the teachers and the pupils absolutely love taking part. It is a privilege to be part of such an inspiring and breath-taking show! The children were blown away and are still talking about it in school, many said it was the best day of their lives. Additionally, the feedback we received from the parents was so positive I don’t think they knew what to expect, and as a result they had their breath truly taken away. In terms of management it is such a well-run and well organised experience from start to finish – everything moved seamlessly and all the volunteers and staff that we met were friendly, calm and very helpful. On a personal level, I hope the teachers’ summer course will be back in Kilkenny this summer as it is the most enjoyable CPD course that I have taken part in. Finally, just to say I love taking part in this as much as the children do and that’s a real motivator in wanting to continue to be involved every year. Thank you all so much.

Niamh, Bunscoil Rís, New Ross.

Awh ladies……What can I say?? Thank you so much for all you did to get the RDS concerts to run so smoothly. There is a mammoth amount of work done by you and I can assure you it doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s my 5th year doing the Peace Proms and every year you manage to make it seem effortless. I had a colleague with me yesterday who had never been before and she was completely overwhelmed by the amount of organisation you have put into it from Derek in the carpark before we even got off the bus to the usher who brought us to our seats (her daughter played the flute in the orchestra!) – everything was spectacular! Every single person was friendly and helpful and really wanted to be there! Thank you seems like so little to say to you all for such a wonderful experience yet again! Enjoy the rest of the tour and hopefully you get a well-deserved break afterwards.

Anonymous