Concert, Carol Service, Carols in Cavan and our AGM

The bad weather caused the cancellation of some of our Christmas season, including the annual service in the Oncology Unit of Cavan General Hospital, but we managed to perform some of our events.

St Aidan's Church, Butlersbridge
Thanks to the many brave souls who weathered the storm and made it to our concert in Butlersbridge. Everyone enjoyed the programme of choir and soloists in this terrific venue. Thanks to John McKay for this picture...

Carol Singing in Cavan Town

Thanks to all choir members who gathered to entertain the shoppers in Cavan Town with seasonal song, and collect for charity. It is appreciated greatly by all who benefit.

Christmas Service in Church of Ireland

Once again Cavan Singers were invited to partake in the Christmas Service in the Church of Ireland last Sunday evening, December 12th. It is always a privilege to be involved. This year the children and teachers of Cavan No 1 school presented the congregation with the wonderful Nativity Play "Baboushka". Cavan Singers led the congregation in the singing of Christmas hymns. Our soloists were Martina (Soprano) and Brian (Bass).

AGM

Our AGM, followed by refreshments and chat, was held in Cavan Golf Club on Tuesday night. Best Wishes to the new committee for the year ahead.

Happy Christmas and Happy New Year from all in Cavan Singers!! We'll be back in 2011.

Concert cancelled due to bad weather

Our concert in Kilmore Cathedral is a casualty of the bad weather. The concert in Butlersbridge goes ahead.

Ready for Christmas

Cavan Singers have a busy few weeks ahead as we prepare for our Christmas Concerts, Carol Services and outdoor Carol Singing!

For our two Christmas concerts we will be joined by the newly formed Cavan Ecumenical Choir of students from Loreto College and The Royal School, Cavan (Musical Director is former Cavan Singer Paul Flynn).

We will be joined also by guest soloists Kate Larking (Soprano), who sang with us at last summers Proms, and Fearghal Curtis (Tenor).

Our performance schedule is as follows - Concert Tickets are available in Easons, Main St, Cavan.

St. Fethlimidh's Cathedral, Kilmore - Thursday, December 2nd, 8pm
St. Aidan's Church, Butlersbridge - Thursday, December 9th, 8.30pm
Church of Ireland Carol Service - Sunday, December 12th
Carol Service, Cavan General Hospital - Saturday, December 18th
Carol Singing, Cavan Town - Saturday, December 18th

And as well as all that, our AGM is after rehearsal on Tuesday, December 14th!

Busy times for all lines of the choir...

Cavan Singers in Fine Voice at Fleadh2010

Cavan Singers were in fine voice as they joined Seán O'Sé and the Fleadh 2010 musicians led by Martin Donohoe at the Cainimís - Let's Sing session on the Friday evening of the Fleadh at the Gig Rig. Some sang on stage, others were spotted among the crowd! It was a real crowd pleaser, and a most memorable event for those who were able to take part. Just about visible in the picture above - from left to right in the chorus -  are Tom (bass), Rita (sporamo), Rachel and Dollé (alto), Mags (tenor) and Áine (alto).

Cainimís le Sean Ó'Sé, Fleadh 2010

As part of the Fleadh2010 programme, Cavan Singers are taking part in Cainimís - Let's Sing in Cavan on Friday August 20th.
Choirs are meeting in the Peace Gig Rig on the Market Square at 6pm and the concert begins at 7pm.
All assembled will be led by Sean Ó'Se in singning together some beloved Irish songs - Óró Sé do Bheatha 'Bhaile, Beidh Aonach Amárach, Báidín Fheidhlimidh, Trasna na dTonnta, Peigín Leitir Móir, Mo Ghile Mear, and of course -  An Poc ar Buile!
This promises to be a great community event - see you there!

A truly glorious day at the Flat Lake

Cavan Singers gathered in the Flat Lake Festival Artists Car Park (Scotshouse GAA to you and me that is) last Saturday afternoon, armed with music - and UV protection cream Factor 50+ to match the weather. After we signed in and got armbanded, we queued for the first advernture of the afternoon - the quad & trailer shuttle to the stage. This was fun fun fun - pictured here are Dermot (Bass), Sally (Alto) and Gay (Soprano) on the first run...Sue (Tenor / Accompanist) seems to be looking on a little apprehensively off to the side...

 

We gathered in our performance tent, and sang joyfully for the audience who listened, joined in, Swayed appropriately, and definitely seemed to enjoy the show. (Gossip - eagle-eyed celebrity watchers even spotted the 'Sheriff of Nottingham' Keith Allen lounging on the grass in the tent, happily singing along with us.)

 

 

Our programme included Song of Jupiter, Gloria, Lascia, Ave Verum, Poor Man Lazarus, The Prayer, Turn Turn Turn, The Blackbird, Here Comes the Sun, Sway, Mac the Knife, and Hallelujah. 

When we finished, we all dispersed to enjoy the other entertainment on offer, the food and beverage, the sunshine, the chill out. We also enjoyed the Scottish Feral Choir clad in rainbow palette, who finished their set with a beautiful version of Auld Lang Syne.

 

As you can see, we thoroughly relaxed for the afternoon...thanks Carmel (Friend) and Mary (Alto) for taking the pictures.

Epilogue

After that, some of us went home - and some of us didn't. We'll be waiting for the comprehensive report Claire (Soprano)!!!

Busy Busy Times...

Watch this space for reports of two recent choir outings - one to the Really Big Chorus concert in the Albert Hall, London and the other to the Cavan Lions Club Summer Proms in the Farnham Radisson. Both were really good performances and each will be reported on here as soon as we get time to draw breath!.

Meantime we had our last rehearsal of the year this evening in preparation for our gig at the Flat Lake Festival in Scotshouse. We are singing on the ScanBitz stage at 4pm Saturday. Bring the suncream (and the umbrellas).

One Weekend - Two Choirs!

This weekend, our members are representing Cavan Singers at two events - we really are a multitalented lot!

The Really Big Chorus
One group from Cavan Singers is taking part this weekend, at the Royal Alvert Hall London no less, in The Really Big Chorus...watch this space for report to follow...

Cainimís - Let's Sing
The rest of Cavan Singers are making a recording in the BackYard, Moynehall in preparation for the Cainimís - Let's Sing events to be held during both Fleadh Cheoil Chontae an Chabháin in June, and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2010 in August.
In both Cainimís events local people and visitors will be invited to sing along with Seán Ó Sé. In preparation for this, Cavan Singers have been invited to the recording of the songs that will be sung:

1. Óró Sé do Bheatha 'Bhaile
2. Beidh Aonach Amárach
3. Báidín Fheidhlimidh
4. Trasna na dTonnta
5. Peig in Leitir Móir
6. An Poc ar Buile (Curfá)
7. Mo Ghile Mear (Curfá)

People can then use the recordings to help them prepare for taking part in Cainimís. Ar aighaidh libh go léir! More information, and the song recordings, will be made available on the Fleadh website

Fadó, Fado - Spotlight 1990

What was on the calendar of Cavan Singers 20 years ago?
Here's a programme and photograph from a concert presented with the Garda Band in the Kilmore Hotel.
The photograph is a little blurred but if you look closely you may be able to name a few Singers!

...of Proms and Flat Lakes...

We are working hard these Tuesdays in preparation for two performaces.
The Cavan Lions Club Summer Proms is at the end of May - it's beginning to be an annual fixture for us now! Details to follow soon.
We have also been invited to perform at the Flat Lake Festival in Clones during the June Bank Holiday Weekend.
Our programmes will includes pieces from the three sets of music we are currently learning and reheasing:

• Sacred - old and new pieces including Fauré, Handel and Mozart
  
• Irish folk songs - as Gaeilge 's as Bearla
  
• Latin (that's the rhythm, not the language) and modern pieces

So between learning words in English, Irish, Latin, French and Catalan, learning our notes, and putting it all together at rehearsal, these are busy busy times...

The Really Big Chorus

Some members of Cavan Singers are preparing to travel to London in May to join in The Really Big Chorus in honour of composer Sir David Willcocks. The programme includes Vivaldi's Gloria, Zadok the Priest, and Willcocks's own Sing!. More details here...

SATURDAY 15 MAY 2010

THE  SCRATCH® CELEBRATION FOR SIR DAVID WILLCOCKS

Royal Albert Hall, 7.30 pm

A concert to celebrate the achievement of the man who, more than any other, has put British choral singing on the map.  Come and join in with music chosen by Sir David himself (Vivaldi Gloria, Handel Coronation Anthems and Sing! arranged from Widor’s Toccata), and discover the identity of our Surprise Guests.

New Year, New Music

A busy new year start with new music by Vivaldi, Hayden, Lennon & McCartney. Whoever said variety was the spice of life was definitely in a choir...Happy New Year to all Cavan Singers.

Very busy end to year - and a Wedding!

A very belated catch up posting:

After a very successful trip to Sligo - where the choir sang so well on stage in the Mercy Convent, on the street of the town, and in the Radisson Hotel - we returned to Cavan to begin our busy Christmas season. We presented our concert in the Kilmore. We sang carols in the Oncology Unit of Cavan General, at the Golf Club Remembrance Service, at the launch of the Cavan Christmas Lights. We sang carols in Cavan town for charity, and at the Christmas Carol Service in the Church of Ireland. We wrapped it all up with our AGM.
In the midst of all this, many members of the choir made it through the inclement weather to sing at the wedding of Orla (soprano).