Our next outing...

We're busy rehearsing for this concert on Jan 20th.

Cavan Cathedral Service Christmas 2016

On December 14th, once again the Cathedral in Cavan was packed to capacity for the Christmas Carol celebration that has become the highlight of the season for many. Seven choirs, two orchestras, many soloists and students from local schools, a hard working production team worked together with the parish team to prepare a really lovely service of song, music, reading and light.

Here is the music that was enjoyed by all who attended...

Once In Royal David’s City (arr. Willcocks), All singing, soloist Fr Kevin Donohoe
Hark the Herald Angels Sing (arr. Willcocks), All singing
Guide Us O Lord (Gilleran), Cavan Rugby Club Male Voice Choir
Carols of the Bells (Leontovych), Royal School Choir
Angels' Carol (Rutter), Loreto College Choir
A New Born Child (Sund), Cavan Cathedral Choir & Cavan Singers
Silent Night (Gruber/Trotman), All choirs, Soloists Cara Cullen & Ailing O'Donoghue
Christmas Rhapsody No.2 (C. Tackney), St Patrick's College Choir & Ensemble
Ave Maria (Mascagni), Duet: Fr Darragh Connolly & Clare Reilly
Deck the Halls (Willcocks), All school choirs
Wexford Carol (Rutter), Briefness College Choir
Brazilian Sleigh Bells (Faith), Cavan Sinfonia
Mhuire na nGrás (E.Tackney), Cavan Cathedral Choir & Cavan Singers with Song Sisters & soloist Amie Gardiner
O Holy Night (Adam), Cavan Cathedral Choir & Cavan Singers with soloists Carmel O'Donoghue & Martina Lee Boyle
Sing (arr. Willcocks), Cavan Cathedral Choir & Cavan Singers
O Come All Ye Faithful (arr. Willcocks), All choirs.


Organists: Ciaran Tackney, Eileen Tackney.
Conductors: Eileen Tackney - Cathedral Choir & The Cavan Singers; Ciaran Tackney- St. Patrick’s College; Sue King - Cavan Sinfonia; Carmel Fay & Sarah Scully - Loreto College; Laura Kavanagh - The Royal School; Janet Traynor - Breifne College; Ann Noelle Bennett - Rugby Club Choir.
Brass Ensemble: Gavin Roche - Trombone; Colm Byrne - Trumpet; Vicktor Boyco - Trumpet; Brian Daly - French Horn.

Christmas 2016 - Baubles

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.

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.

Big start to the new singing year

We got the 16/17 year off to a big start DCU on Oct 1st. The 100 voices who sang on Easter Sunday reassembled to record A Nation's Voice with David Brophy and Shaun Davey, and the RTE National Symphony Orchestra. The CD will be available in the RTE Guide in November - so reserve your copy now!
Here we have Brid Brady (Sop) and Nora Kennedy (Sop and PRO) picture with Conductor David Brophy and composer Shaun Davey, after the recording in the Helix.