Community choir draw the curtain on Iniscealtra Festival

EAST Clare Community Choir closed its first season with a recital as part of Iniscealtra Festival of Arts in Mountshannon.
The group of 40 competed in the Association of Irish Musical Societies National Choral Festival the previous week and was testament to the commitment and dedication of the group, who only came into being in January.
Their performance of two unaccompanied pieces in the Waterford Crystal Festival in New Ross, County Wexford was considered a high point in their inaugural year.
For the Mountshannon appearance in St Caimin’s Church of Ireland they chose a five-part programme, beginning with a spiritual evocative of the arts festival environment, Down by the Riverside, while the traditional air Down by the Sally Gardens was also in tune with their surroundings.
The famous Abba number, Money, Money, Money, preceded a moving Ave Maria (Arcadelt), with another spiritual, Peter, Go Ring Dem Bells, to close. Rosemary Walsh was accompanist, with Scariff Community College music teacher John O’Brien conducting.
Gina Sparling, Terence O’Reilly, Pauline Madden and Mountshannon Community Council supported the preparation for the performance.
The new choir is an emanation from East Clare Musical Society which has been five seasons on the go and making a big name for itself. As with the society, it rehearses in the college’s music room under John O’Brien.
Slightly over half its members, however, have not yet performed with the society, which gives an indication of the reserve of talent likely to be available for this year’s show.
Commenting on the season, the choir’s public relations officer, Geraldine Colleran, said they had great fun as well as the serious business of going before the public. Members did not need to the able to read music, she assured; they just needed to love it and be able to sing a bit.
Reflecting on their first competitive performance in the AIMS festival, she said the judges’ remarks were very positive, which made them feel they did well, especially being up against groups with 30 years behind them.
They are always open to new members, she added, particularly men. Anyone interested in getting involved can contact Geraldine on 086 815 2743.