25-year musical journey for Duhallow Choral Society
THE Duhallow Choral Society was founded 25 years ago on March 6, 1996. This recall of the years reflects some of the wonderful moments and memories enjoyed by all the members and their associates past and present.
The key to the success of the choir over the years has been a high level of dedication, training and commitment by each member, thus enabling the choir to achieve a high standard of excellence while maintaining spirit vision and enjoyment.
This choral society is led by a dedicated and loyal musical director and strong management team who have worked hard to attain the success of the choir throughout its journey.
The choir have always engaged the finest musical directors and accompanists, and guest professionals. Currently, the musical director is Ms Sharon Reidy, Tralee, and accompanist Aine Murray, Listowel. Sadly, over the past year the world of music and Duhallow Choral Society have lost two of the finest world class sopranos, the late great Miriam Murphy and the late great Cara O’Sullivan.
The choir commenced training at Colaiste Treasa, Kanturk in 1996 and later moved to Scoil Mhuire, Kanturk. The first unofficial performance was at Clonmeen House, Banteer in May 1996, and the first official concert in full uniform was performed at the Glen Theatre in October 1996.
The group have been most honoured to have performed at the highest level, for many dignitaries and in a host of distinguished venues both at home and abroad.
One most special performance was for President Michael D Higgins at the Áras, organized by the former Senator Bill Cashin. In May 2017 Michael Moynihan TD invited the choir to perform for all houses of the Oireachtas at Leinster House.
The first tour abroad was in 1999 as guests of Pat Cox, former president of the European Parliament, performing in the parliament in Brussels, in Leuven and in Flanders fields.
In 2001 the choir launched a CD to an audience of 1000 at City Hall Cork. This was followed by a small group performance in Dublin to Senator Hillary Clinton.
In November 2002 the choir were invited by a great Irish American, Mr John ‘Chic’ Donoghue, to tour New York. This generous man organised concerts for Senator Hillary Clinton at Carpenters Hall, New York; the Irish American Legislators State Parliament, Albany; St Patrick’s 5th Avenue, The Irish Famine Memorial, Manhattan; Grand Central Station, the Fire men at ground zero, and the Dominican Sisters, Blauvelt.
Visiting Rome and Leuven, Belgium, the choir performed at the historic Irish colleges and in the Vatican gardens for Cardinal William Levada in Rome.
Autumn 2004 saw their first tour to Germany, visiting Heidelberg and the Rhine valley as guests of the family of Dagmar Ott, and in 2019 travelling to Trier as guests of Monica Brewen and her orchestra, who had been hosted in Kanturk to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Duhallow Choral Society.
In May 2012 the choir travelled to Krakoff, Poland for a choral festival, and embarked on a boat trip in May 2017 hosted by a beautiful Welsh choir.
In March 2018 came more magical moments when Teresa Daly, a former member and then Chicago Rose of Tralee, invited the group to perform a week of concerts and events for St Patrick’s Day celebrations in the USA. The choir performed for Mayor Rahm Emmanuel at the Chicago City Hall, and later for the Irish Consulate General Brian O’Brian, Ireland Network Chicago and Vaughan Hospitality group, Kerry Group staff, Wisconsin, and the Irish political delegation with councillor John Paul O’Shea.
As part of Kanturk Arts Festival the choir performed with the Irish Chamber Orchestra and the late Cara O’Sullivan.
In 2016, and remembering 1916 rising, a special concert in collaboration with musicians from Sliabh Luachra, Rochchapel, Mallow Toastmasters, and ‘Pards’ military re-enactors was staged to a delighted audience at Edel Quinn Hall, Kanturk.
The group won first prizes in the large choir category at Kenmare Choral Festival in 2012/13 and Aims Choral Festival, New Ross in 2015 and 2017.
In August 2018 the choir were part of the Croke Park stadium choir performing for Pope Francis. The group also hosted a Canadian choir, the Vienna Boys Choir, The Essex Police Choir.
Other highlights have included a concert at Millstreet Country Park for the Belgium Ambassador and, over the years, engaging with IRD Duhallow’s Bealtaine Festival and the International Cork Choral Festival, and performing with visiting international choirs.
Along with the many events outlined above, three Christmas pageants were staged on the streets of Kanturk to mark ‘ The True Meaning of Christmas’.
Although the choir has travelled far and wide, their most precious moments are when they celebrate holy Mass and perform concerts in the beautiful churches and community halls around Cork and beyond. They are extremely proud of their many achievements but, most of all, raising over €400,000 for many charities and local projects.
The choir’s success was made possible by the grant aid and support from Maura Walsh and Board of IRD Duhallow, European Leader funding, Kanturk Credit Union, Cork Co Council, and local and international business support, all local media, Timmy Lynch and The Corkman. But most of all, thank you to all the loyal and dedicated followers who have supported them down through the years.
The choir are silent for one year now because of the pandemic, the group sorely missing their training and, above all, meeting their choir family. Hopefully, all will resume when life returns to normal, then the halls of Duhallow and beyond will light up again to the sound of music and laughter. The choir will welcome new members and remember the beautiful people that are now departed and are members of the heavenly chorus of angels. Anticipitating planning the great choral journey of brighter times ahead, the choir will celebrate their silver jubilee with a gala concert, hopefully in the not-too-distant future.