Singing to a brighter future

HAILING from Clarecastle, Dolce have just launched their first CD, Sing to a Brighter Future, produced to assist the Clinical Cancer Research Trust in their mission to combat cancer.

Dolce, the Italian musical term for sweetly, is a four-piece female ensemble made up of Ellen McAuliffe on flute, her sister Laura on vocals, Patricia Russell on keyboard and her daughter Sarah on vocals.

Together they perform in churches and cathedrals across the county.

Speaking to The Clare Champion Patricia Russell noted, “There is scarcely a family in Ireland that has not been touched by this disease. Cancer knows no boundaries and is indiscriminate upon gender or age. As a group, this is our chance to play a part in supporting this great cause”.

The group has been together for approximately a year and a half. Last year the four of them were at a dinner and met Senator and Professor John Crown.
“Professor Crown is one of the top oncology specialists that we have in Ireland. We found this man to be very in-control, driven and committed. He left a resounding impression on us that night.

“We know only too well in our own community here in Clarecastle that cancer has devastated families and it continues to bring fear to members of our parish. Even within our group Dolce, each one of us has experienced loss within our families. Three years ago, I lost my aunt to cancer, aged 59. Sarah lost her grandmother, aged 56 and Ellen and Laura lost their close friend, who was only 16. As an individual, it is very easy to feel powerless in the shadow of this terrible disease. However, this summer, as a group, the four of us decided to do something,” Patricia added.

Dolce went to Pine Valley Recording Studios in Killaloe where they spent five hours recording Sing to a Brighter Future, which features nine tracks. 
The women insist there is no fixed price on this CD and is available by donation only, of which 100% goes directly to John Crown’s Cancer Clinical Research Trust.

The group launched the CD in Clarecastle last weekend and it will be launched across the rest of the county at various locations this month.

Among the songs featured are Ag Criost an Siol, Fields of Gold, The Prayer, Cavatina, What are Words and Annie’s Song.

“Some of the songs are ones we cover in mass anyway and they are all easy listening and soothing songs. It’s a tranquil CD and we wanted to keep it very simple,” Patricia said.
For more information about the CD or the Cancer Clinical Research Trust, visit www.ccrt.ie.