Auchinleck woman Laura to sing for the Pope

Sep 17 2010 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A TALENTED music teacher is set to sing for the Pope.

Laura Bohan will perform the only solo piece during the Bellahouston Park Mass this Thursday.

Apart from the guest of honour, a congregation of up to 100,000 will watch Laura live.

And a further BILLION people are expected to see her performance on tv.

The 25-year-old miner’s daughter from Auchinleck said: “I’m really excited and I feel very honoured to be singing in the presence of Pope Benedict and such a large congregation.

“The nerves haven’t really kicked in yet because I can’t comprehend that number of people in my head, it’s too huge.

“I’m sure I’ll be very nervous on the day though.”

Laura was asked to audition by her parish priest at St John’s in Cumnock.

She frequently sings in the cathedral in Ayr and works with Kilmarnock Amateur Operatic Society so seemed like the perfect candidate.

Laura said: “My parish priest asked me if I would go and audition. I got through the first audition before Monsignor Fitzpatrick and Father Michael Hutson, the music directors of the Papal Mass.

“I went back for the second audition on June 27 and was told I had been selected to sing for the Pope.

“It was my birthday that day, I think it must have brought me a bit of luck.”

Laura will sing the Responsorial Psalm, The Lord is my Shepherd, which has been set to new music.

A song that she has been practising day and night.

Former St Patrick’s and St Conval’s pupil Laura is now a teacher at Annan Academy in Dumfries and Galloway.

And she says her pupils couldn’t be more supportive.

Laura added: “The kids at school are quite excited for me. They all say they can’t wait to see me on tv and are going to Sky plus it.”

Laura’s mum and aunt will also be there, tissues in hand, to see Laura sing.

The Mass will take place at the southern section Bellahouston park, in the area facing Mosspark Boulevard.

The Popemobile is expected to arrive in Glasgow at around 4.45pm and the Mass will take place at 5.30pm.

The Pope will personally give communion to just 30 people from the congregation.