LOURDES GIRLS SHINE BRIGHT
The Lourdes youth choir held their annual end of year concert and awards night in Our Lady of Lourdes Church recently and the night proved to be a magical affair as the sound of beautiful music filled the air.
The talented group provided everyone present with a great variety of performances on the night and every single one of the girls did themselves and their families proud.
From individual solos to group performances, the amazing talent of each and every member shone through.
The evening started with Josephine Ogbanga singing ‘Run’.
Josephine was just gone 13 years of age when she sang ‘Run’ at last years’ Drogheda Male Voice choir’s Christmas in the TLT and it was only her second time singing it as a solo so it was fitting to start the end of year concert to show off Josephine fantastic voice and recognise how she stepped in on the last minute last Christmas.
Following Run the choir had a small break and individual members performed. Nikola Busa amazed the crowd as she played ‘ Tarantella’ on piano. “Tarantella” is a group of various Italian folk dances characterized by a fast upbeat tempo.
Megan Butterly played guitar and sang Avril Lavigne’s ‘Complicated’. Megan has proved a worthy soloist for the Lourdes Youth Choir, who have enjoyed listening to her vocal talent mature and strengthen since she joined the choir six years ago.
Orla McDermott was up next and stunned everyone with her own composition ‘Cairdeas’. Orla entered the ‘Junior Eurovision Competition’ to represent Ireland and having reached the finals she had to compose her own piece. She sang it with grace and conviction.
To end the first half Poppy Cotuo sang ‘Young Bob Briddley’ A cappella. This is a song Poppy’s great grandfather taught her grandfather who taught her and she sang it with heart.
A number of awards were presented on the night including: Best Mass Attendance in the Senior Choir, Josephine Ogbang; Best Mass Attendance in the Junior Choir, Sharon Ogbanga; Best Practice Attendance in the Senior Choir, Josephine Ogbanga and Best Practice Attendance in the Junior Choir, Sharon Ogbanga and Ava Hoey.
The choir than sang ‘Kum Ba Yah’ a cappella which was beautiful and haunting.
Kleopatra Bruno played Menuet En Rondeau and Jazz on piano. Kleopatra won the under 10 piano section at the Navan coral festival this year and it was clear to see why – this young lady is a fantastic musician for her age, even to watch her face when she plays shows her love for music.
Aishing King played the ukulele and sang ‘RipTide’ by Vance Joy. Aishling was amazing and sang and played really well.
The only group of the night Lynsey Reilly, Nikola Busa, Serena Matthews, Ruby Matthews, Ava Pendergast and Megan Reilly let rip on ‘ Titanium’ – fantastic vocals and brilliant harmonies these ladies gave some performance on the night.
Orla McDermott was back up again and going from one extreme to another thus showing off her vocal ability Orla sang Human by Rag’nBone Man and oh my did she give it attitude.
The service Awards and the Fr Martin Kenny award were the final presentations. Five year service award went to Josephine Ogbanga,
Ten Year service award went to Maria Durnin and Megan Reilly and the Fifteen Year service award went to Catherine Conlon.
The Winner of this years’ Fr Martin Kenny award was Serena Matthews.
At the end of the evening, Choir Director Jackie Walshe told the assembled crowd how one of the youth members had been diagnosed with MS last Februrary.
‘She has been such a brave lady and an inspiration to all of us in the choir that has known this information since February,’ said Jackie. ‘Indeed the day she was diagnosed she attended choir practice that evening. In our own way we are trying to support her and one venture we have agreed upon is to record a 3-5 track CD to be released next Easter.’
The money raised through the sale of this CD will go towards treatment for her during relapses. Anything left over will be donated to either MS Louth or MS Ireland, whichever she decides, Jackie said.
‘We are really looking forward to this venture as it is 2009 since the choir last recorded, so please, when it is all done and dusted please support us in supporting our youth Member,’ Her speech was met with a huge round of applause and a few tears shed.
Fr Maciej spoke and thanked the choir for sharing their talent in Our Lady of Lourdes Church. He said it was evident the bond and friendship that is shared among the girls. He wished them a happy summer and best wishes for the upcoming CD. He presented Jackie with a cheque from the parish to be put towards the cost of the CD. The choir sang than ‘ The Rose’ and the penultimate performance was by Lauren Leech who sang the ‘Pie Jesu’ proving what an up and coming soloist she is. The concert ended with the choir sing the ‘ Dum Dum’ song which each and every one of the enjoyed.