The Open Arts Community Choir has been shortlisted in a category at the Royal Philharmonic Society awards.
A Belfast based choir which includes disabled and non-disabled people has been nominated for a prestigious award.
It is one of only four in the UK shortlisted for the Inspiration Award at the Royal Philharmonic Society awards. Beverley McGeown, a wheelchair user and the musical director of the Open Arts Community Choir, said being part of the choir was the best "feelgood factor that you'll ever get"."It's a social thing, it's a gathering, it's a really good place for increasing your mental health," she said."We've people from all sides of the community as well and from all parts of Northern Ireland.
"We're the only act from Northern Ireland to have been shortlisted, so we're just absolutely bowled over and really excited," she said.'It's been a really joyful experience'"We've done lots of things," she said."Music has always been a big part of my life ever since I was very young, it's been really a joyful experience, meeting new friends.""It doesn't matter what your background is, we're all in it together," she said.
"We all support and encourage one another, and we all blend in very well with harmony and we listen in to each other," said Gareth, who is one of several visually impaired members.Gareth said some of the music could be "very challenging" to perform but he thought it was a "good idea to rise to the challenge".
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