TEEN SPIRIT

Boot camp preparations for March 6 concert

YOUTH choir Teen Spirit takes to the stage in the INEC on Tuesday, March 6, for the fourth and final edition of the show in its current format.

The hugely popular production has been a showcase for local school-aged talent for almost five years, carefully infusing a sense of spiritualism for participants and audiences alike.

Rehearsals for the final chapter in this amazing series began back in January and this year there is an even bigger choir. In fact organisers could not advertise for new singers this year as they were already at capacity for the INEC stage .

“If we had advertised to recruit singers from around Kerry we’d have to the knock the back wall of the INEC and build an extension for the show! But seriously, it’s an overwhelming endorsement by teenagers, parents and teachers that the Teen Spirit project is suitable, fun and inspiring for teenagers,” organiser Noel O’sullivan states.

“We want to make this another memorable night so we are going to throw the kitchen sink at this one,” he adds.

The band includes Ivan Cooper on drums, Cathal Flaherty and Kieran Healy on guitar, Jimmy Canty on bass as well as some very talented teenagers. So expect plenty of rock-laden big numbers, mixed with more intimate, emotional renditions by some outstanding soloists.

The school show kicks off at 11.30am with a reduced rate of €5 per student and teachers go free while the evening show is at 8pm – adults €20, students/oaps €10.

Speaking about the decision to wrap up the Teen Spirit series, Noel says the concerts have been a huge undertaking and the free time will now allow him to spend time with his wife and daughter Cora who is turning two.

“It’s not that Teen Spirit is over as a project – I hope it’s only just beginning and we hope different pastoral areas will take this idea on to engage with teenagers in their locality,” he adds.

In organising the concerts, Noel says he had been very conscious of the obstacles teenagers face when dealing with faith matters.

“Our main concern about the show from the start was that the Christian faith element would put teenagers off getting involved. We had to pick edgy, relevant Christian songs that deal with real issues faced by teenagers and where God fits into it all,” he explains.

Meanwhile, the local Teen Spirit choir of around 90 singers will continue to provide inspirational music at fundraisers and parish, Diocesan events and youth Masses.

Photos by Diarmuid Galvin Teen Spirit Rathmore choir members included (in front) Annette Hayes, Jennifer O'sullivan, Una O'mahony, Mairead Fleming and Clodagh Nagle with (at back, from left) Rachel Courtney, Aoife Sheehan, Clare Culloty, Nadine Hurmson and Abigail O'mahony at...

Teen Spirit Killarney choir members (in front) Sarah Murphy, Jessica Knoblauch, Cathal Flaherty and Ashley Kerins with (at back, from left) Amy O'donovan, Ivan Hurley, Darran Horgan and Laura Murphy at the boot camp in preparation for the Teen Spirit...