If you love singing and would like a new challenge, the Galway Choral Association wants to hear from you! The Association is a 60–voice community choir and has vacancies for men and women who want to make great choral music.Next year is the association’s 20th anniversary, and they will host a special Gala concert in January to mark the occasion. The programme will include Fauré’s “Requiem”, featuring Galway natives soprano Aisling Kenny and organist, David Grealy. Later in 2018, the choir will visit Germany, to sing Vaughan Williams’ “Dona Nobis Pacem” with Ulm Chor Levantate, who visited Galway in 2016.
The choir welcomes both former members and new friends. “We have men and women of all ages and stages, and want to hear from anyone who is interested in joining a choir,” says chairperson Carol Duffy. “Choral experience and the ability to read music are helpful, but definitely not necessary, as GCA provides comprehensive rehearsals and learning-tools. Our members often include people who are taking up a new hobby before they retire, or when the kids leave home. With enthusiasm and dedication, anything is possible.”
The number of choirs in Galway has increased dramatically as group-singing becomes more popular. “Joining a choir like GCA has many positives, including known mental health benefits”, Carol Duffy said. “An establsihed choir like ours has the knowledge and relationships to organise concerts easily, and we have connections to many organisations around Galway. Our musical director, Norman, and accompanist, Dympna O’Byrne, are extremely accomplished musicians. They encourage us to reach high standards, and this enables us to perform a variety of choral works, while raising funds for various local charities. Our 2017 summer concert raised €1000 for COPE Galway, and it was fabulous to help them in this way.”
“I’m delighted to be doing Faure’s Requiem” said musical director, Norman Duffy. “Galway Choral is a versatile choir, performing works from sacred choral standards right through to modern compositions, spirituals, folk-songs and songs from musicals. We will also prepare a few Irish songs to share with our friends in Germany.”
The choir rehearses on Sunday from 7.30 - 9.30 pm in St. Patrick’s Band Hall beside Galway Railway Station, and Norman promises that each evening will be enjoyable. Their season runs from September to June, and new members are accepted in September and February. Prospective members may attend up to three rehearsals before deciding to join.
To arrange a voice-range test, email admin@galwaychoral.ie, or phone Norman Duffy on 085-144-1614.
