Inter-cultural Moate choir join ‘Joy To The World’ concert
By Rebekah O'Reilly
The 'Joy To The World' concert is set to take place in Tuar Ard Arts Centre on December 15 at 3pm, and will feature Dublin's Rejoice Gospel Choir and Moate's Ubuntu Voices Choir.
The musical celebration will see carols and festive favourites from all over the world, touring the globe through music, song, dance and story as you immerse yourself in this musical journey of hope.
Experience the warmth and magic of Christmas as the choirs celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
The Ubuntu Voices is an inter-cultural and inter-generational choir made up of people from Moate and surrounding areas, including people from the Temple Accommodation Centre.
"Ubuntu means 'I am because we are'," said Maria Flanagan, volunteer with New Horizons Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support Group. "It sends the message that we are all interconnected, and that no one stands alone."
The Moate-based choir was formed as a collaboration between New Horizons, Music Generation's Andrew Yau, and Tuar Ard Arts Centre.
The group was first formed in October 2023, and now has roughly 30 members from the local community.
"The choir connects people, and gives them a sense of belonging," Maria said. "We learn something about music, and Andrew's teaching style is very inclusive, and fun."
In the words of the choir members, the Ubuntu Voices choir "represents something beyond singing".
"The Ubuntu choir represents something beyond singing. It's about fostering connection, diversity, laughter, and knowledge sharing, while integrating different cultures, perfecting musical skills, and encouraging the joy of learning something new, all the while singing beyond any language barriers," one member said.
Another added: "I am Ubuntu Choir...representing something deeper than singing. I connect people of all races, languages and culture in Moate community and environs. I provide a platform for knowledge sharing, connecting with people and singing in different languages.
"You don't have to be a music guru to be part of me, all you need is love in you and an open-mind for learning new things. My atmosphere doesn't have to be so intense, as you laugh and relax while learning... this is me, I am Ubuntu."
The 'Joy To The World' concert with Rejoice Gospel Choir is the fourth public performance for the Ubuntu Voices choir.
Sincere thanks are extended to Andrew Yau from Music Generation for all his work with the choir, Tuar Ard Arts Centre manager Mary Dennison for providing a rehearsal space, and Dublin's Rejoice Gospel Choir for inviting the Ubuntu Voices choir to join them for the concert.
To book your tickets, go to: https://www.universe.com/events/rejoice-gospel-choir-christmas-concert-with-ubuntu-voices-tickets-ZCQL4T or phone the Tuar Ard Arts Centre box office on 090 6482042.
The Ubuntu Voices choir is always open to new members. To get involved, get in touch with Maria Flanagan on 086 378 3483.