Sunday 27 November 2016

See House for Festival of the Dead 2016

We took part again in the See House performances as part of 2016 The Festival of the Dead. We worked with Eileen, Robbie Perry and his troupe of drummers to form a battalion of very spooky torch-wielding zombie soldiers who both greeted each audience as they arrived from town by bus, and shepherded them back out of the courtyard at the end of the show. It was a long day, between rehearsal, make-up, wardrobe and five performances we were on-duty from 2pm until 2am - but to be fair, we enjoyed every minute. The best fun was hiding in the woodland before each group arrived, watching for Pyrotechnic Paul to set of the flares and light our torches.
The imagination, drive, creativity, and planning that goes into this project is jaw-dropping...well done to Philip Doherty and the Gonzo crew, all of the Town Hall team, and from our musical perspective, Robbie Perry.
Roll on next Hallowe'en.

Monday 21 November 2016

Sligo International Choral Festival

We travelled to Sligo Choral Festival last weekend, on Wharton's comfiest coach, and had a lovely meal together in the Glasshouse Hotel. On the morning of our competition, we had a short sharp rehearsal with Eileen, sorted our scarves and ties, before setting out to the Gillooly Hall. Our competition had 11 choirs, so it was a long but fabulous morning, each choir in turn singing for the others, for the audience, and for the adjudicators who gave us high praise for our 900 miles and Adiemus. Our section was won by Lumina from WIT (who were our, and the audience's, favourite by far).
Afterwards we had a great evening in the Glasshouse, dining together and singing into the wee small hours.
Well done to all organisers of the Sligo Festival - it was a terrific experience, and we will certainly return!

Songs of Praise in Ballyhaise

Thanks to the congregation in Ballyhaise Church of Ireland for inviting us to sing 'Songs of Praise' with them on Sunday November 6th, and for their generous hospitality afterwards.