More than 500 young musicians unite for spectacular Spring Gala

It was a packed hall with 1000 guests attending EA’s Music Spring Gala hosted in partnership with Ulster University in the Diamond Hall at its Coleraine Campus.

More than 500 young musicians from across north Antrim and mid Ulster have taken to the stage in a powerful celebration of music, community, and collaboration — marking a major milestone for youth music in the region.

The EA Music Spring Gala 2026, held on Thursday 26 March at Ulster University’s Coleraine campus, brought together pupils from Ballyclare, Ballymena, Ballymoney and Maghera in a rare, large-scale showcase of emerging talent.

A new era for youth music

The event marked the first time all ensembles have performed together under EA Music’s newly introduced hub structure — a model designed to make music education more accessible while strengthening community connections.

Three Junior and Intermediate hubs in Ballyclare, Ballymoney and Maghera now offer string orchestras and wind bands for developing musicians, while a fourth hub in Ballymena supports senior pupils through the Northern Youth Orchestra.

Pictured is some of the young performers who delivered an uplifting evening concert showcasing the breadth of musical talent across the region.

This approach allows pupils to rehearse and perform locally, before coming together for major events like the Spring Gala — blending community roots with regional ambition.

From local stages to a major showcase

In the lead-up to the gala, each hub hosted its own winter concert, giving young musicians the opportunity to perform within their local communities.

But in Coleraine, the scale shifted.

After a full afternoon of rehearsals, the combined ensembles delivered an evening performance that showcased both musical ability and the power of collaboration.

More than 500 young musicians from schools across the north Antrim and mid Ulster area came together for the EA Music Spring Gala 2026 (Thursday 26 March 2026), a major celebration of youth music hosted in partnership with Ulster University at its Coleraine Campus.

The programme featured:

• Junior String Orchestras performing Stars, Dragon Slayer and Banuwa

• Wind Bands presenting More Cobwell, Bandroom Rock and Espresso

• Intermediate String Orchestras performing Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Lord of the Dance and The Final Countdown

• A finale from the Northern Youth Orchestra including Hopak from Sorochinsky Fair, The Continental and Fallingwater

“A powerful reminder of music’s impact”

Eve Bremner, Chief Education Officer of the Education Authority, praised both the scale and spirit of the event.

Pictured is EA Chairperson, Mervyn Storey; Chief Education Officer of the Education Authority, Eve Bremner; EA Music Deputy Head of Service, Jan Hutchinson, EA Music - Locality Lead (North), Janet Cooke and EA Music Locality Manager, Colin Elliot at EA Music Spring Gala at Ulster University Coleraine.

She said:

“Seeing so many young musicians performing together is a powerful reminder of the role music plays in education and in bringing communities together. The dedication shown by these pupils, supported by their teachers and families, is truly inspiring.

“Events like the Spring Gala highlight the creativity, confidence and teamwork that music education helps to develop in our young people.”

Janet Cooke, EA Music Locality Lead, described the gala as a standout moment for everyone involved.

She said:

“The Spring Gala has been a fantastic opportunity for pupils from Ballyclare, Ballymena, Ballymoney and Maghera to come together as one musical community.

“Spending the afternoon rehearsing before performing on stage in the evening has created a wonderful sense of excitement and achievement for everyone involved.

“It is inspiring to see so many young people sharing their passion for music and performing together in such a positive and supportive environment.”

Building confidence, community and creativity

Beyond the performances, the gala highlighted something deeper — how music education continues to shape confidence, teamwork and ambition among young people across the region.

By combining local access with shared regional experiences, the EA Music hub model is not just producing performances — it is building a connected, creative community of young musicians.

As the final notes echoed through Coleraine, the message was clear: the future of music in north Antrim and mid Ulster is not only thriving — it is sounding stronger together.

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At a glance

• More than 500 young musicians took part in the EA Music Spring Gala 2026

• Event held at Ulster University’s Coleraine campus on 26 March

• Pupils came from Ballyclare, Ballymena, Ballymoney and Maghera

• First joint performance under EA Music’s new hub structure

• Junior, Intermediate and Northern Youth Orchestra ensembles performed

• Programme included orchestral and wind band pieces across multiple genres

• Event followed a series of local winter concerts in each hub

• Education leaders praised the collaboration and talent on display

• Gala highlights the role of music in building confidence and community

• EA Music hub model aims to expand access while maintaining regional connection