WATCH: Snow Patrol's Johnny McDaid and Friends star Courteney Cox give NI school choir a big thumbs up

Snow Patrol's Johnny McDaid and Friends star Courteney Cox have sent a festive message of congratulations to the choir and pupils of a school in Londonderry.
The Ardnashee School Choir performing at Foyleside Shopping CentreThe Ardnashee School Choir performing at Foyleside Shopping Centre
The Ardnashee School Choir performing at Foyleside Shopping Centre

Staff at Ardanshee Special School said they and their pupils were stunned and delighted to receive the video messages, which were played to pupils at their Christmas Show on Wednesday.

The celebrity couple were recently sent a video of Arnashee’s choir performing Pink’s smash hit ‘What About Us?’ at a Christmas concert at Foyleside Shopping Centre in in the city.

McDaid, who hails from Londonderry, co-wrote the chart-topping Pink song. He and Cox were both deeply impressed with the pupils’ rendition, singling out soloist, pupil Noel Mulgrew, for a special mention.

The Ardnashee School Choir performing at Foyleside Shopping CentreThe Ardnashee School Choir performing at Foyleside Shopping Centre
The Ardnashee School Choir performing at Foyleside Shopping Centre

Ardnashee teacher Bríd Cutliffe, who is joint choirmaster along with Mr Colm Hasson, said that, as it turned out, Noel is not just a great singer, but also a big fan of Friends.

“The pupils’ reaction when we showed the videos was priceless,” she said. “I put it through the big screen during the school concert.

"Both of them gave a special shout out to Noel and said he was fantastic, and wished all the staff and students a very happy Christmas and New Year.

“I was shaking so much when the message came through because I knew what the reaction would be from the students. We were all so delighted.”

She added: “As far as I am concerned they are the best choir in Derry. They have so much passion and enthusiasm and they work so hard and they love to perform.”

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