Choral Society Concert 'a triumph'
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Children from fourth, fifth and sixth classes at St Kenny NS sang at this year’s Mullingar Choral Society concert.Image 2 of 9
RIGHT Steven Cummins performed solo during the concert.Image 3 of 9
Helping out on the night were Frank Kiernan, Noel Kinahan, Willie Fearon and Stephen O’Brien.Image 4 of 9
Christy Sheridan, Mullingar Choral Society.Image 5 of 9
Michael, Caroline, Abigail and Ivy McDonnell.Image 6 of 9
Mark, Liz and Isabella Eivers.Image 7 of 9
Michael and Catherine McDonnell.Image 8 of 9
ABOVE: Phil Coghlan, Muire Courtney Early and Siobhan Kinahan.Image 9 of 9
Sarah, Lane, Christine Meehan, Connie Gardiner and Anne Murnaghan, Arioso String Quartet.On Sunday evening December 3, Mullingar Choral Society performed their Christmas Concert, ‘O Night Divine’.
For many people, the concert is the beginning of the Christmas season and the tradition of attending continues for many families. This was evident on Sunday night as the audience began to arrive, grannies, grandads, mothers and fathers and so many young people, and in huge numbers.
It was by far one of the biggest attendances at the Choral Society’s concert ever, and they were not to be disappointed with what was on offer.
The comments after the concert and the feedback around town have been amazing. Those who have attended for years, and there are many, were full of praise for the content, the quality of the talent involved and the ‘quirky’ moments seen as a welcome addition to this year’s performance.
Under the musical direction of John White – returning to Mullingar Choral Society after many years – the choir had rehearsed diligently over the last few months. The choice of music included some well known and popular Christmas pieces and the addition of a few new ones performed by the choir for the first time.
Those included ‘Tomorrow shall be my dancing day’ by John Gardner, ‘Follow that Star’ by Peter Gritton, ‘The Virgin Mary had a baby boy’ a traditional Caribbean piece specially arranged by John White.
The programme also include such favourites as ‘Silent Night’, ‘Carol of the Bells’, ‘In the Bleak Mid-Winter’ by Harold Darke, which included a solo performance by choir member Stephen Cummins.
Mullingar Choral Society have had the pleasure of working with many fine soloists for more than 50 years. Their choice this year was Joanna Fagan and what an inspired selection it was.
Her rendition of ‘O Holy Night’ was nothing short of amazing. Words like angelic, uplifting, and spine tingling were used by audience members to describe what they had heard. Joanna also performed ‘Domine Deus’ by Antonio Vivaldi and was joined by the choir for ‘Suantrai ar Slanaitheora’ by Fintan O’Carroll. How fortunate Mullingar is to have artists of the calibre of Joanna Fagan in the community.
The society were delighted to have the children from St Kenny NS perform this year. They sang ‘Somewhere Only we Know’ and the popular ‘Do You Hear What I Hear’. It is clear from their polished performance that the music tradition for which the school is well known is alive and well.
The music for the concert was provided by the Arioso String Quartet, and the accompanist was Adam Collins. Adam is another product of the seemingly endless line of fine musicians for which Mullingar is renowned. Drumming by father and son duo Danny and Joe Murray came to the fore during the performance of the 16th century piece ‘Gaudete’.
The MC for the concert was Mary Hughes and her continuity skills and warm personality added greatly to proceedings.
There were many positive comments concerning the somewhat ‘quirky’ moments in the concert. The candlelight procession by the children to begin the concert, the bell ringing (by the children) during he singing of ‘Carol of the Bells’ and the use of lights, again during the encore.
These moments were choreographed by John White, musical director, adding his particular stamp on what was, according to a discerning and regular concert attendee, nothing short of ‘a triumph’.