Carlow Choral Society celebrates 60 years of hitting all the right notes
Carlow Choral Society
“IT IS AN amazing opportunity to sing some of the best music that has ever been written.”
So says Chris Neary from Carlow Choral Society, which is celebrating its 60th birthday this year. Already, exciting projects are in the pipeline, with a launch taking place next Friday at Cobden Hall in Carlow College.
Choral society members are invited to attend as well as former members, who might like to reacquaint with old friends. The society is also targeting those who might be interested in joining a choir but don’t know where to start.
The launch is at 7pm, with light refreshments served afterwards.
Chris sings with the tenor line. He joined eight years ago.
“The was my first in 2017,” he recalls.
“I just love singing. We do a good job. For amateurs, I think we are pretty good. We seem to have a good reputation as well,” he says.
Verdi’s , which the choir performed in Carlow and Berlin, was a career highlight for him.
Sam Crawford has been in the choir for almost 30 years.
“I have enjoyed every minute of it,” he says.
He rarely misses rehearsals, which take place on Mondays in Carlow College from 7.45pm to 10pm.
As a seasoned member, he has mentored and encouraged newcomers, who might feel a little overawed when they join. He says that is the ethos of the society – all embracing.
“It has been a great source of camaraderie, a great source of achievement. The sense of camaraderie is outstanding. There is no-one I feel I cannot talk to.
“What really got me was achieving things was by doing major musical works,” he says.
Blanaid Murphy is choral director while well-known pianist Yvonne Collier provides the musical accompaniment at rehearsals.
“We are so fortunate with Blanaid and our piano accompanists. There are a couple of trained voices in the choir, but generally we are just 40-60 ordinary people who want to sing,” added Sam.
The choir have sung in diverse venues such as Halifax, the Albert Hall in London, Berlin and Rome while they are seasoned performers at the National Concert Hall in Dublin.
Sam says it is difficult to pick out one work which stands out for him.
Once the launch is over, the 60th celebrations will get into full swing.
The society will perform Mozart’s at Carlow cathedral on Friday 13 June. Then it is on to Montpellier in France in September, where they will perform a specially commissioned piece by composer Paul McGrath.
In October there will be a celebration for members past and present, while the society will perform its annual Christmas concert in Carlow.
“We have done ourselves proud with what we have sung and achieved. Regarding my favourite, I wouldn’t say there is anything in particular, but possibly Handel’s and Mozart’s , the first one that I sang with the choir,” says Sam.
