We are so looking forward to our Gala Christmas Concert on December 11th. Our last Christmas concert in St. John’s was in 2019 and a lot has changed in the world since then but one thing remains constant – music and our love of it! This year we will be welcoming back to Tralee our friends from Duhallow Choral Society, taking the number of singers to well over 100. With soloists, Megan O’Neill, soprano and Lucy White, violinist, it promises to be a magical evening of wonderful Christmas music, exactly what you need to get into the Christmas spirit.
KCU joined by the Gledholt Male Voice Choir, St. John’s Ashe Street, 21 May 2022
Who knew concerts were like buses? You go more than two years without one and then three come along in quick succession. On Saturday, we were delighted to join forces once again with the Gledholt Male Voice Choir from Huddersfield in Yorkshire for what was a really entertaining evening, not least for us! The Gledholt lads are great craic and invited us all back to the Ashe for some post-concert celebrations. The concert was a lively mix too, with some great show tunes (who can forget There is nothing like a dame!) and some quieter more traditional pieces. Once again, Down Syndrome Kerry and St. John’s on Ashe Street were great hosts. All in all, it was a great return to Kerry for the Yorkshire folk after a three year (enforced) break and we were delighted to welcome them back. There are even whispers of Kerry Choral Union heading off on a trip to visit them on their home turf …. more anon.
KCU with the Gledholt Male Voice Choir, St. John’s Ashe Street, 21 May 2022 KCU with the Gledholt Male Voice Choir, St. John’s Ashe Street, 21 May 2022
Ok, look, where would we even start when it comes to 2020? What can be said that hasn’t been said, what can be said that would make it better? Some had an awful year, some had great joy during the year and most of us just put our heads down and ploughed on. As a I write this, news is coming through of another lockdown, albeit one fuelled by Irish coffees, tins of roses, Christmas cake and more food than anyone would know what to do with. Let’s just call it festive hibernating and leave it at that.
2021 is looking promising at least. With vaccines on the way, a much hoped for return to singing seems all the more plausible and when we do start getting back to a more familiar way of living, I think we can rely on strong audiences. Sure won’t we all be chomping at the bit to see live performances ourselves? Last Sunday night’s video had nearly 6000 views between St. John’s website, their facebook page and our own, which is no small number. Hopefully in the New Year we will be able to get some of those to come and see us in person, won’t that be lovely – singing together and performing for an audience. To quote the great Noddy Holder of Slade:
Look to the future now It’s only just begun.
A Merry Christmas to you all and a very Happy New Year!
There’s a nervous excitement in the air as our Christmas Gala Concert approaches. Rehearsals started back in September and the time really does seem to have flown but on Sunday we will be back in St. John’s, Castle Street, Tralee with world-class soprano Miriam Murphy, and a fantastic selection of Christmas music. We will be accompanied by Ian Sexton on piano and Susan Motherway on flute and we can’t wait to see you all there.
For a taste of what you can expect, here’s our performance from earlier this year of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah, which we will be performing on Sunday.
The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. April 2019. St. Brendan’s Church. In aid of Recovery Haven. Accompanist: Aine Murray (Piano). Director: Sharon Reidy. Filmed by: EmmaJude Lyons & Malachy Scanlon
Christmas is well and truly here. Back in the day, December 8th would have been the day to go to Dublin for your Christmas shopping! No need for that these days, instead you can shop local (or online) and then come to Listowel tomorrow night for the first of our Christmas concerts (Storm Atiyah permitting) at 7:30 pm in St. Mary’s in aid of the church renovation in Listowel. Tickets will be available on the door.
In the meantime, here’s something soothing from our concert earlier this year, just to counterbalance the windy weather outside.
Benedictus (Karl Jenkins – Armed Man) April 2019. St. Brendan’s Church. In aid of Recovery Haven. Accompanist: Lucy Tanner (Violin) Aine Murray (Piano). Director: Sharon Reidy. Filmed by: EmmaJude Lyons & Malachy Scanlon
