Suantrai’s debut album hits the right note with audience
SUANTRAI Female Vocal Ensemble are celebrating a milestone — the recording of their debut album.
The group, which is made up of singers from Arklow and Gorey, officially launched their self-titled EP at their Christmas concert in Christ Church, Gorey.
Speaking to this paper ahead of the concert, Suantrai’s director Sara Clancy explained that the album came together almost by chance.
‘We decided we’d go out and record three Christmas songs coming up to Christmas. But, when we went there, we said “we’ll try to get as many done as possible”. When we’d finished, we had nine songs recorded. Ten are needed for a full album so we went back another day to do another piece. It really wasn’t something that we’d anticipated, it just happened,’ she said.
The album was recorded by the 24 members of the ensemble in around six hours at Jimi Hemp Recording Studios in Castletown, Co Wexford during October. It was also mixed there and Sara, who also produced the album, described it an impressive achievement for an amateur choir.
‘It was very interesting,’ Sarah said ‘and for a lot of the people it was their first experience in a recording studio. All of that was new to them and even for them to hear themselves back was amazing.’
The album is a genre-spanning mixture of Celtic, medieval, modern Irish ballads and Christmas favourites. Many were arranged by Sara for the choir to perform. Hilda Brown, the harpist who accompanies the group, also performs one piece on the album.
Other tracks include ‘Isle of Hope’, a song about the first young Irish girl’s experience at Ellis Island, ‘Adiemus’ and Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’.
‘It’s sung by one of the choir members who is 17 and when she sings, it means a lot more than if it’s an older voice singing it because you get the feel of the young person.’
‘We also have two lullabies: a Japanese one called ‘Itsuki’ lullaby and an Icelandic lullaby called ‘Sofu Unga’. I chose lullabies to feature on our album because Suantrai means lullaby in Irish.’
‘There’s also a beautiful piece called ‘The White Rose’ which was composed by the Irish composer Michael McGlynn. I would have sung with Michael when I was singing with Anuna and during my time with Riverdance. I would be a big promoter of his choral music,’ Sara said.
The ensemble are very excited about the album launch and their Christmas concert.
‘I think for a lot of the choir they would have sons, daughters or family who have now emigrated or are living abroad. They’re sending out the CD as part of their Christmas gift. I think this will be nice because they’ll recognise the people on it and it’s a bit more personal than buying your normal Christmas gifts.’
Sara thanked the choir, many of whom she has taught in Gorey or went to school with in Arklow, for helping to bring her dream of directing a female choir to life.
‘Who knows what 2020 will bring for Suantrai but most definitely there will be more concerts and travels abroad and hopefully some radio play and TV performances,’ Sara added.
Suantrai’s album ‘Suantrai’ is available to buy at the end of their concerts or by emailing femalevocalensemble@gmail.com.