Sunday 22 December 2013

Service for Oncology Unit Cavan General

Families and friends of the staff and patients of Cavan Oncology Unit held a candle lit service at the Kilmore Hotel on the morning of Saturday Dec 21st. This was the first time, after 15 years, the service had moved from the Oncology Ward of the hospital. The mixture of readings, prayers, candles, music and song was wonderful. All who partook and attended were touched by the atmosphere. We are blessed, as ever, to be able to bring the power of song to this occasion.

Stars, Choirs and Carols

A bus load of us headed off to Croke Park on Thursday 20th to join in a World Record Attempt at singing carols in great numbers. We did not break the record, but a wonderful evening was had by all who took part in this joyous and well organised event. (What's that I hear? We'll do it next year? mmm...)
There is a report in the Irish Independent here

AGM 2013

Our AGM took place in the Kilmore on Tuesday 17th. There was a great turn out and we got through the business efficiently, effectively and with good humour. Reports from the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer told of a very busy and productive year, touched by the sadness of losing our friend and former Musical Director Winnie Hughes. We discussed plans for next year (our 30th birthday/anniversary), and installed our committee as listed below. Our shiny new Facebook page was launched. We then relaxed with some refreshments and chatter.
Here our outgoing committee are pictured, reflecting both the serious and lighthearted nature of our AGM. We thank each of them for their work on our behalf in the past year, in particular Áine Sullivan who is stepping down having finished her 'sentence' as Treasurer!

Incoming committee members elected:
Chair - Rachael Cullivan Elliot (alto)
Vice Chair - Frances Galligan (tenor)
Secretary - Carmel Gaffney (alto)
Treasurer - Liz Murray (soprano)
Assistant Treasurer - Nora Kennedy (soprano)
Librarian - Peter Howard (bass)
PRO - Mags Amond (tenor)

"In the Bleak Mid-Winter"

There were rumours of a strange new Santa-type monster stalking the Town Square in Cavan on Dec 14th, rattling a bucket! Ah, but those 'in the know' who will tell you it was our intrepid Treasurer Dr Áine Sullivan (alto) who wanted to ensure the dreadful weather did not reduce donations at our street Carol Singing in aid of St Vincent de Paul. Check the Met Office report for the day if you have doubts - anyone who braved this weather to sing deserves a medal, or at least a mince pie! Well done to all, not least Áine, and especially our (truly adaptable) accompanist Eileen Tackney.

Thursday 12 December 2013

"The Joy of Christmas" - Cavan Cathedral Carol Concert 2013


In the mildest winter weather for many a year, we joined in the seasonal celebrations in Cavan Cathedral, where our former Chair (and bass) Fr. Kevin Donohoe is currently the ADM. This is the program for the evening, which was attended by a large appreciative congregation. It was great to be part of such a wonderful evening.

Entrance - All choirs - O Come All Ye Faithful
Words of Welcome - Fr Kevin
Lighting of Candles - Youth of the Parish

Cathedral Choir
So Many Stars
God Rest You Merry Gentlemen


Cavan Singers
Coventry Carol
Advent Carol


Cavan Sinfonia
The Snowman
Silent Night


Claire O'Reilly & Brian McKeever
Still A Bach Christmas

Priests of the Parish - Fr Ultan, Fr Darragh, Fr Kevin
Gabriel's Message

Cathedral Choir & Cavan Singers
Soloists - Carmel O'Donoghue and Martina Lee Boyle
O Holy Night

St Patrick's College Choir
When Christ was born in Bethlehem

St Patrick's College Ensemble
Soloist - Andrew Molloy
Christmas Rhapsody

Recessioanl - All choirs
Hard the Herald Angels Sing
Joy to the World





Wednesday 11 December 2013

It's a "Midwife Crisis"

On an unseasonably mild Sunday evening we joined the congregation in the Church of Ireland Cavan for their annual Carol Service. As Rev Mark Lidwill said in his welcome address, we have been doing this for almost our entire 30 year history. One of the delights of this occassion each year is the Nativity play produced and presented by the teachers and students of Cavan No1 school. This year it was called "A Midwife Crisis" and it was brilliant. Our soloists this year were Brian Mc Keever (bass) and Pauline Brady (soprano), we were accompanied on the organ by Eileen Tackney and conducted by our Musical Director Sue King.


(Tonight we cross the road to sing with the Cathedral and St. Pat's choirs in the Cathedral Carol Service.)

Wednesday 4 December 2013

Yesterday at 11am, in Newtownforbes Church, we sang for our late former Musical Director Winnie Hughes, along with The Longford County Choir and their conductor and organist Fintan Farrelly. We sang together pieces she had conducted in Cavan Singers and pieces she had sung with Longford County Choir - Locus Iste, the Alleluia from Mozart's Exsultate, Jubilate, Caccini's Ave Maria and the Benedictus from The Armed Man. We listened to Leonard Cohen and the Webb Sisters sing the prayer If It Be Your Will. It was very sad, but also very lovely to be invited by Winnie's family to take part in her funeral Mass. Our sympathies are with them, and they will be in our thoughts each time we remember Winnie.
To remind us of the happy times, read again Mary Haren's post about the trip to Barcelona in 2008, and watch us singing there with Winnie.

Song of Jupiter - Where W'ere You Walk