Cork ETB centre wins national song award

A learning centre in Cork city for people with extra support needs has been announced as the winner of a prestigious national song competition celebrating heroes and learners across the country.

Skills For Life students at National Learning Network (NLN) Hollyhill took the top spot in the Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) Anthem Competition with their song ‘Find your people’.

The competition was judged by composer and producer Bill Whelan; musician, composer, and broadcaster Ellen Cranitch and rapper, producer, and songwriter MuRli.

Commenting on the winning song, ETBI said: “Judges loved this slightly edgy and truly inclusive anthem. Strong lyrics celebrating togetherness and friendship and the therapeutic power of music to bring us together. A fun song with danceability and infectious chorus. A very strong anthem and deserving winner. Lyrics really meld the personal and universal in an authentic way.”

The students recorded their anthem with a music industry professional in Windmill Lane Recording Studio and received advice and input from professional musicians on the performance and production of their song.

The competition marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of ETBI and was run in partnership with Music Generation, Ireland’s national music education programme giving children and young people access to high-quality performance music education.

The students will perform their winning anthem at the ETBI conference in Cork on 27 and 28 September.