THE KILLALOE Male Voice Choir returned home with two bronze awards from the Praga Cantat Choral Festival in Prague.
Vocal talents of the East Clare group were showcased on an international stage as they made a triumphant return from the Czech Republic with two bronze awards.
Competing with 18 choirs from ten countries, the Killaloe Male Voice Choir were awarded in two categories, (Folk & Sacred Music). Their performances featured selections such as Mo Ghile Mear, Carrickfergus, Ubi Caritas and Sunset Poem, demonstrating the choir’s musical versatility.
They were also invited to a reception at the Irish Embassy hosted by Alan Gibbons, Ireland’s Ambassador to the Czech Republic, at which they performed a number of Irish pieces.
Pat Carroll, PRO of the Choir admitted, “We’re thrilled by this achievement. It reflects the choir’s talent and hard work under the expert guidance of Musical Director, Anne Cullen”.
Founder of the choir, Rory McGrath had previously been involved in another choral group of which Anne was Musical Director. When Anne moved to the Mid-West, he asked if she would consider directing a choir in Killaloe, if he were to establish one. That was ten years ago and now the choir has thirty members, mostly from Killaloe and Ballina but with about a third coming from Limerick City. Its ever-expanding repertoire draws on classical and contemporary pieces in four parts (TTBB).
Now in its tenth year, with thirty members the choir performs regularly for local charity and fundraising events in Killaloe at St Flannan’s Cathedral and the Church of St Flannan’s as well for Limerick Mental Health Week. They are also regular participants in both the Killaloe Music Festival and Limerick Sings.
For the festive season, they will be hosting their annual Christmas Concert along with four other local choirs in St. Flannan’s Parish Church on Sunday December 15th at 4pm.
