Coronavirus

Oh it was such a great start to 2020. We were all enjoying the wonderful program Sharon had prepared for us and were looking forward to our concerts ahead, but unfortunately Covid-19 had other plans for our year. It’s a serious situation and it demanded that we take it seriously. And so it was that the committee decided to put a proposal to our members last Wednesday, March 11 to suspend rehearsals and performances for the foreseeable future. The vote was overwhelmingly in favour. It is sad, a bit surreal and, we think, the first time this has happened in our 35 (?) year history but it was the sensible and safe thing to do.

I still have videos to share, though, here and on our social media channels and we will keep you informed of any developments. Meanwhile, keep singing! At home, in the shower, on the hilltops! Singing is so good for your mental and physical health and the main thing we can do at the moment is keep ourselves as healthy and strong as possible to fight any infections. Boost that immune system, eat healthy, drink water, get plenty of sleep and exercise and SING!

Sharon’s 20th Anniversary

Willie Keane, Sharon Reidy and John Baily. Photo by Steve Baker

Sorry for the delay folks but I am finally getting around to sharing some more pictures from our first night back which also marked Sharon’s 20th anniversary as our conductor. Thanks so much to John Bailey for his warm and funny presentation speech and for providing the committee with that program from Sharon’s first concert. Thanks to Linda for organising the framing and the cake. And to Steve Baker and Kate Falvey for the photographs. And most of all thanks to Sharon for her talent and patience and for everything she has done to make us the choir we are today. Thanks Sharon!

Beannachtaí Nollaig na mBan oraibh uilig!

To mark Women’s Christmas, I am posting a video of one of the ladies only songs that we do in the choir. I would like to wish all the ladies of Kerry Choral Union and all your family and friends and all those who support our choir and our concerts the very best for the coming year. Gentlemen of the choir, remember you have to wait hand and foot on the ladies in your life today!

The Famous Nuns’ Chorus from ‘Casanova’ (Johann Strauss). Performed by Kerry Choral Union in April 2019. St. Brendan’s Church. In aid of Recovery Haven. Soloists: Iris Barry & Charlotte Calleja O’Halloran. Accompanist: Aine Murray (Piano). Director: Sharon Reidy. Filmed by: EmmaJude Lyons & Malachy Scanlon

Tralee Gala Christmas Concert

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 concerts on the way

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