The sweet sound of Sonata success at Cork choral festival
THE ladies of Drogheda-based choir the Sonata Singers has reason to celebrate recently after they scooped the runner-up place in the Cork International Choral Festival
And to add to the local accolades, they were awarded for a piece composed by renowned Drogheda composer Michael Holohan.
The prestigious festival was held over a gloriously sunny weekend in this wonderful vibrant city.
It has the reputation of being among the leading festivals of musical excellence across the world, and taking part this year were choirs from Finland, Sweden, Hungary, Israel, Italy and the UK - as well as the cream of Irish choirs.
Sonata Singers, whose musical director is Siobhán Seberry, were competing in the ‘National Female Voice Choirs’ competition, which was held in the magnificent surroundings of the City Hall.
They performed two pieces; “Lift Thine Eyes” by Mendelssohn, and, “In the Empty Hills” by local composer Michael Holohan.
This was the debut performance of “In the Empty Hills” at the Cork International Choral Festival and was composed by Michael especially for Sonata Singers.
adjudicators - Maria Gamberg Helbekkmo (Norway), Mervyn Cousins (England) and Jean- Claude Wilkens (Belgium). Comments were on the choirs’ sound, warm tone, good blend and balance of voices.
Cheers of delight echoed throughout City Hall as the results were announced; Sonata Singers were awarded 2nd place, and Siobhán stepped forward to be presented with the certificate and cheque.
Weekly rehearsals will continue until the end of May and the choir will be singing at the 7pm mass in St. Mary’s Church on Sunday 20th May.
If you would like any more information, or perhaps you are a Soprano or Alto and interested in joining the choir - you can find out more by calling Siobhán at 087 2633650