School choir on song for Pope

Our Lady of the Missions (OLM) choir sang at Bellahouston park, before Pope Benedict XVI arrived, performing in front of 60,000 people.

And the Thornliebank pupils were treated like VIPs, being given prime seats for the special Mass.

Connie Edgar (11) from Giffnock was one of the 40-strong choir.

She told The Extra: "It was brilliant. I could see the pope really well because we were so close. It was quite scary performing in front of a huge audience.

"This was a great experience I will remember for the rest of my life".

Fellow pupil Christopher Stewart (10) from Giffnock added: "It was really nervewracking, performing on the stage with everyone watching us.

"I will remember this forever. But my favourite part of the day was the big clap and cheer for the Pope when he was leaving. It was amazing".

The 40 children were picked by Monsignor Gerry Fitzpatrick after they performed their own rendition of the Ninian Cantata at St Mungo's in Glasgow earlier this year.

They were the second act to perform, taking to the stage at 1.45pm.

Headteacher Charlie Jamieson said the whole school community was proud of what the children achieved.

He told The Extra: "The only word to describe it would be phenomenal. We were treated like VIPs. We didn't know what to expect because we had been for a rehearsal the day before and getting a feeling of the site.

"We left at 10.30am and got into the park fairly quickly and given a special marquee. The pupils didn't appear to be too nervous about performing in front of 60,000 people.

"And on stage they kept their nerve and were very excited about it all. The performance I would say was perfect. The children sang beautifully and performed really well.

"Everyone is very proud of them and their parents and grandparents that were in the crowd were overjoyed.

"After it we were given seats very close to the front – they were prime seats for the Mass. It was a great day and for the children like being at a mass and rock concert at the same time".