Quit the bank for love of singing
A Sligo singer who left her job in the bank to pursue her love of singing was recently named Church Singer of the Year at the prestigious Weddings Online awards.
Olivia O’Hanlon who is originally from Abbeyville but now living in Ballisodare said she was thrilled to win.
Mum of three Olivia comes from a music family her mum was in a band and sister Avril was also part of popular group Deja Groove for many years. Both Olivia and Avril started singing at family and friends weddings from the age of 13.
Olivia told The Sligo Champion she didn’t think she was going to win as there were top names in her group. “I couldn’t believe it when my name was announced as I had no expectation at all. It was in Citywest and there were ten altogether in the group. We had different stage to get to the finals,” she added with coupleses voting for their favourites along with a judging panel. Olivia also won Best Newcomer and Wedding Singer of the
Year at the same awards a number of years ago.
Her love of music flourished from a young age. “I was always big into music from singing in choirs, including the Mercy school choir and doing a few musicals.
“I was in the Bank of Ireland for 15 years on Stephen St and after my third child I decided to leave that job and take go singing full-time. I’m busy with the kids who are 11, 8 and 5 but thankfully they are all very musical too. Shane, the eldest is doing his piano exams and Caoimhe and Kyran all sing really well together, they could be the next Von Trapps!,” she laughed. Olivia said it’s been great working in the music business full-time now for more than three years. “I have no regrets. I started my singing business and Donal Gray joins me on piano for weddings and there’s other musicians ttoo and harpists.”
She sings at a lot of funerals and the most popular song requested for funerals in The Voyage. “It’s requested a lot at weddings too. The most requested hymn is probably Lady of Knock.
“I think in terms of wedding songs, every bride wants something different.” She said regarding popular songs in church, once the religious parts are adhered to from the psalms, offertory and Communion then generally priests are fine with popular songs being sung.
“I think the most popular wedding song I sing is A Thousand Years by Christina Perry from Twilight, that comes up a lot as does This I Promise You.” One of her favourites to sing is Songbird. “I love it because it’s more of a classic, more my age group!”. Olivia has more than 300 songs in her repertoire which covers a wide range of genres.
“With the kids and all that I don’t travel too much outside Sligo, keep within an hour’s radius or that. It’s busy all year round, January is quiet enough but from Valentine’s onwards it’s busy especially in August when I could be doing 4 to 5 weddings a week.
“It’s mental in August but it’s good. Christmas and New Years is another busy time for weddings it can be nuts with something everyday but it’s nice to have family time too.”
Olivia said being asked to sing at couple’s weddings is really special to her. “I love being a part of it and I take it so seriously. To sing on the day of someone’s wedding sets the tone for a happy and romantic day.”
She also sings at drinks receptions during weddings and has been asked to join bands but with three young kids it’s not an avenue she’s pursuing just yet.
Her mum and sister were both in bands and Olivia recalls time spent with her McDermott relatives in Manorhamilton when she was younger who are all music mad.
“I remember visiting our aunties and uncles there and we would be standing in granny’s kitchen and we would all be singing along which was great.”
Winning the award from Weddings Online was fantastic she added. “This company is probably the biggest and most prestigious in the business so to win was brilliant.”
Has she any plans to record an album? “I have been approached by some people who want me to sing some of their stuff but I literally don’t have the time to do it at the moment.”
To keep her repertoire contemporary along with all the classics means Olivia is constantly learning new material. “I love learning new music and keeping up to date with the genres,” she added. For more on Olivia visit http://oliviaohanlonmusic.com