Field trip to Albert Hammond concert in Castlebar

Thanks to Treasurer Liz Murray (alto) for organising a trip to the Albert Hammond concert in Castlebar on October 10th. 22 fans travelled, and we stayed over in Breaffy House. After a lovely dinner together in the hotel, we were carefully counted on to the bus to town, and took our front row seats in the Traveller's Friend theatre.
The concert was superb, all hits were sung by Albert in fine voice, accompanied by a terrific band, for well over two hours. There was much stage door swooning when Albert came to sign albums and have pictures taken after the concert.
Imagine our delight, back in the bar in Breaffy, to be joined by the very genial band members (all Scots, all gents) and also the bauld Albert himself. The singing was good, and the craic was too. If you look carefully, you'll spot himself in here between Claire Finlay (soprano) and Nora Kennedy (soprano).

We were all grateful for the relaxed late breakfast next morning, and in need of a swim or a walk in the woods.

Join in THE BIG SING

We are hosting a Big Sing at our open rehearsal next Tuesday, as are many other AOIC choirs around the country. All who love to sing are welcome to join us for a song and a cuppa. This is to celebrate Mental Health week and Choral Singing Week. Many thanks to Cavan County Council Community Office for supporting us in this venture.

AGM Sept 29th

We had our AGM after the rehearsal on Sept 29th. Rachael, our departing chair, thanked everyone who had contributed to making 2014/2015 one of our best years yet. We had our various officers' reports, and discussed ongoing affairs, as ever at AGMs!
We elected a new Committee for the 2015/2016 as follows:

Chair - Carmel Gaffney
Vice Chair - Frances Galligan
Former Chair (ex officio) - Rachael Cullivan Elliott
Secretary - Mags Amond
Treasurer - Liz Murray
Assistant Treasurer - Áine Sullivan
PRO - Nora Kennedy
Librarian (hard copy) - Martina Lee Boyle
Librarian (soft copy) - Peter Howard

Thanks to the outgoing committee for their trojan work on behalf of the Singers, and best wishes to the incoming team.

Getting started on the 2015-2016 season

We began our 2015-2016 saying a fond farewell and thanks to Paul Flynn, and Céad Míle Fáilte to our new Musical Director, Eileen Tackney. Eileen has been working with us for years as accompanist, arranger and teacher, so it didn't take long to get to get to work on our season's work. We are working side by side on our Christmas music (including a beautiful piece written by "our" Paul) and our new pieces which are taken from musical movies.

US Civil War Commemoration in Cavan

We sang at the US Civil War exhibition at the Johnston Memorial Library, Cavan on 5th August 2015. Acompanied by Eileen Tackney on keyboard, We sang many songs evoking the era - Wake Nicodemus, We are Coming Father Abraham, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, Just Before the Battle Mother, Dixie and The Battle Cry of Freedom. Soloists were Brian McKeeven (bass) and MArtina Lee Boyle (soprano). Musical Director Paul joined the Aedine Browne (alto), Mary Sullivan (soprano) and Martine Lee Botle (soprano) for a haunting rendition of Shenandoah, joined ny guest violinist Amy Kelly.

Dunmore Choral Festival

On Saturday the 16th we made a return visit to Dunmmore, Co Galway to partake in their Choral Festival - report to follow!

Gloria - Recital in Cavan Cathedral

Many thanks to audience over over 300 who joined us for the Recital in the Cathedral on Thursday night. We were delighted to be joined by our Minister for the Arts, Heather Humhreys.

Recital Programme

Cavan Singers
Locus Iste - Anton Bruckner
Cantique de Jean Racine - Gabriel Fauré
Ave Verum Corpus - Wolfgang Mozart

Duet: Martina Lee Boyle (Sporano) & Brian McKeever (Bass)
Panis Angelicus - César Franck

Cavan Singers with student choirs of The Royal School, Breifne College, Loreto College, and St Patrick's College
I heard the Voice of Jesus - Trad, arr. Vaughan Williams
Stand By Me - Tom Kendzia

Solo: Niamh McCormack
I am the Good Shepherd - Paul Flynn

Cavan Singers, Niamh McCormack (Sporano), Niamh O'Hanlon (Contralto)
Gloria - Antonio Vivaldi
i. Gloria in exclesis Deo
ii. Et in terra pax
iii. Laudamus te
iv. Gratia agimus tibi
v. Propter magnam gloriam
vi. Domine Deus
vii. Domine, Fili unigente
viii. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei
ix. Qui tollis pecata mundi
x. Qui sedes ad dexterum Patris
xi. Quoniam tu solus sanctus
xii. Cum Sancto Spiritu

Read the full programme


"Thanks You"s
Well done to all singers, as well as our MD Paul William Flynn, our organist Eileen Tackney, all the soloists - our own Singers Brian (Bass) and Martina (Soprano) as well as the two Niamhs who joined us for the evening - and the student choirs from The Royal School, Breifne, St Pat's, and Loreto Colleges.
The sincere gratitude of the organising committee goes to the following folk for their invaluable assistance:
Fr Kevin Donohue, ADM Cavan Parish, for permission to use the venue and the church organ.
Ciaran Tackney, Janet Traynor, Carmel Fay, and Laura Kavanagh, who prepared the four school choirs.
School Principals Angela McGarvey, John Crotty, Edward Linsday, and Christopher Rowley for facilitating the participation of their students.
Cavan Arts Officer Catriona O'Reilly for continued support.
Alan McMahon and Mark O'Hanlon for sorting the stage.
Mark O'Janlon, Seamus Kennedy, Colman Smith, and Raymond Boyle for "manning" the "Box Office".
Nollaig Amond Murray for assisting Eileen with the sheet music.
Stewart Elliott and Christopher Elliott for distributing the programmes.
Ciaran Murray for videotaping and photography, and Carmel Fay for recording....To see the video, follow this link