Special concert for anniversary

WICKLOW Male Voice Choir will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a special concert in St Patrick’s Church later this month.

The concert will take place at 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 27, and features an exciting programme.

The choir will sing two joyful and uplifting works – Vivaldi’s ‘Gloria’ and Dan Forrest’s ‘Jubilate Deo’.

Dan Forrest is a young American composer and his ‘Jubilate Deo’ may have people dancing in the aisles. It’s a setting of Psalm 100 which draws from a wide range of musical influences from around the world. The work is sung in seven different languages as a gesture of the unity between cultures.

Two young sopranos will sing the solo roles – Katie Richardson McCrea and Jade Phoenix from Greystones.

Wicklow Male Voice Choir formed in February 1998 following a meeting in the Grand Hotel and held its first public performance in Wicklow Golf club on May 24 of the same year.

The first chairman of the choir, Pat Sherlock, honorary secretary Pat Byrne and joint treasurers Andy Bolger and Eamonn Sheridan are all still actively involved in the choir.

Tickets for the special anniversary concert cost €15 and are available at Earl’s Newsagents and on the door. TICKETS are now on sale for the second annual West Wicklow Festival.

The festival will take place between May 17 and May 20 in Russborough House and St Mary’s Church in Blessington.

The programme features internationally acclaimed clarinet virtuoso Julian Bliss, principal cellist of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra Philip Higham, the award-winning Benyounes Quartet, renowned Irish baritone Gavan Ring and the Festival’s Founder and Artistic Director, acclaimed Irish pianist Fiachra Garvey. In partnership with the National Concert Hall, there will also be an innovative programme of interactive musical activities for children followed by a free family concert.