Spinning plates with Alan Leech!

Last Tuesday evening we had a wonderful choral workshop with Alan from the AOIC. Alan is currently a full time tenor with The National Chamber Choir of Ireland. He is also a lecturer in Voice at the Leinster School of Music & Drama, and Mater Dei Teacher Training College Dublin.
He put us through our paces and stepped us through one of our favourite pieces, Gabriel Fauré's Cantique de Jean Racine. He gave us helpful exercises and pointers, all delivered with good humour. Thank you Alan, we promise to put it all to good use, and that we will all try to keep all of our plates spinning in the air!

Friends Remembered

We sang to remember departed friends on Saturday evening in St Clare's Chapel with Fr Kevin Donohoe. We were joined by families and friends of choir members (and some very tiny future members!). We supported each other in our sadness, and we celebrated our continued friendships and the joy we share in singing together. We sang our debut of the "Benedictus" from Karl Jenkins's "The Armed Man", which we had sung with the Longford Choir at Winnie's funeral Mass. Martina Lee Boyle (soprano) lead us in the psalm "Shepherd Us O Lord."
After the mass we had a meal in the Farnham Arms Hotel, and a post prandial 'singsong' with Dessie Ronan on piano, and Gerry O'Keeffe (tenor) on Spot Prizes, and a hilarious reprise by Mary Haren (alto) of her epic 1997 poem "Roman Holiday", complete with author's commentary!

Remembering departed friends

We are preparing at rehearsals for a lovely evening soon, in which we will remember our deceased members from Cavan Singers. We will have readings, prayers and hymns at a service with Fr Kevin Donohoe (Adm) in St Clare's Chapel at 7pm on Saturday March 8th. Then we will share supper and some music in The Farnham Arms Hotel in Cavan.

Here we are in one of the happy times we wish to celebrate - competing at the Sligo Choral festival with Winnie Hughes (former Director, RIP) and Josie Coyle (alto, RIP)...thanks to Rachael Elliot (alto) for the photograph.

Eileen and the Andrews Sisters in Killeshandra

Eileen Tackney, our accompanist, and her group the Song Sisters, are performing their current show "The Andrews Sisters at the Hollywood Canteen" in Killeshandra on February 8th. A show not to be missed!

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)