College ‘most-revisited’ school for group

The concert saw students from the host school, Belfast High, Downshire School and Carrick Grammar join 35 local primary school pupils for the musical extravaganza.

The performance followed a three-day workshop at the College, attended by 170 young performers.

It is the seventh UK and Ireland tour for the American group, which has its base in California.

Praising the performance of the young students, College Media Studies teacher Sharon Long said: “It was great to have the Young Americans here again; Carrick College is actually the most-revisited school on the whole island of Ireland.

“A selection of young people performed solo parts in either singing, dancing or acting. Over 400 people attended the event and the atmosphere was electric.”

Speaking to the Times in advance of last Thursday’s performance, director Adam Brown said: “The Young Americans were founded in 1962 and about 20 years ago we started out musical outreach tours.

We’re in Carrickfergus for the UK and Ireland tour and we also have two other touring casts on the road at the moment in Europe and Japan.

“The concert is a variety show called Turn Up The Music and it focuses mainly on song and dance; there’s everything from contemporary pop, Broadway and classic rock.

“There are 45 performers from the Young Americans; about 80 percent are from the US but we also have some from the UK, Ireland and Japan.”