enCORe’s Valentine concert was full of love and affection
The enCÓRe vocal group in fine voice during their Valentine’s performance in St Mary’s Church, Carlow Photos: michaelorourkephotography.ie
LOVE was in the air at enCORe’s show on St Valentine’s Day recently, where they explored affection and longing through a setlist full of romantic hits.
From gospel to RnB, pop hits and old classics, the 12 ladies who comprises enCORe celebrated love across genres, covering themes of grief, sorrow and loss alongside celebratory, romantic love and songs all about friendship.
“It was a great opportunity for people to celebrate Valentine’s Day and for the public to come together and enjoy a few drinks, which were supplied by our local bar Tully’s,” said Aideen McLaughlin of enCORe.
“We were delighted we could use the space at St Mary’s Church to show what we can do as a group. It was such a great opportunity for us to use the space and to enjoy the acoustics there. Reverend Paul Fitzpatrick has been so kind to allow us to rehearse there and we’re so indebted to the community in St Mary’s for the use of it,” she continued.
EnCORe was officially formed in 2020 but they have been singing together since their youth.
The 12 ladies who make up enCORe attribute their coupling to mentor Mary Amond O’Brien, who ran the youth choir the women were a part of, which eventually led to the formation of their current ensemble.
Despite leading separate lives after school with college, work and starting new families, a shared love for music brought the women back together to form enCORe five years ago.
The group began rehearsals for their Valentine’s show after their sellout Christmas concert in Visual last year, with help from Mary Amond O’Brien and supported by Ollie Hennessy, who accompanied enCORe on the night.
“We’re all at different stages in our lives now, but we’re really committed to enCORe and to keeping the art of what we do alive.”
Aideen continued: “We’re excited for the year ahead, hopefully with opportunities for festivals and gigs over the summertime.
“First and foremost, at the heart of enCORe is the music, the training we received as young choristers from Mary Amond O’Brien in her youth choirs growing up have stood to us. There’s just something about the 12 of us that really works.”
EnCORe will announce all upcoming gigs and festivals on their social media channels encorevocalgroup.
