Join a Galway City choir to sing fabulous music this winter

If you love singing and want a challenge, we want to hear from you! We are a mixed-voice community choir based in Galway City, and we have vacancies for men and women who want to sing fabulous music.

Now in our 22nd year, we are working towards a performance of Haydn's Nelson Mass in early 2020, participation in a city-wide choral event later in the year, and Brahms's Requiem with orchestra in early 2021.

We welcome enquires from new singers, former members and people who want to return to choral singing. “We welcome everyone! Singing with a group is proven to be great for health and well-being,” says chairperson Carol Duffy. “Choral experience and ability to read music are helpful, but not necessary, as we provide comprehensive learning-tools. New members often include people who are taking up a new hobby when the kids leave home, but we welcome all adult singers”

“Joining an established choir has many benefits”, Carol Duffy said. “We have the expertise to organise major concerts, and we receive invitations to take part in choral events, like those being planned for 2020. Our Choral Director, Norman Duffy, and accompanist, Dympna O'Byrne, are both accomplished musicians. Their high standards enable us to perform challenging choral works, while raising funds for local charities.”

“I’m delighted to be doing the Nelson Mass” said Norman Duffy. “Also known as the Mass for Troubled Times, this is one of Haydn’s later works and is widely regarded as being among his finest compositions. Political and financial instability meant that the resources were limited, but still he created a stark and powerful sound which is challenging but very rewarding to sing.”

We rehease on Sunday from 7.30 - 9.30 pm in St. Patrick’s Band Hall, from September to June. New members are accepted in September and February. Prospective members may attend the first three rehearsals in September, to see if we are the right choir for them.

For more information, see our Programme and Member Info pages.   You can also ask questions on our Facebook page, or email admin@galwaychoral.ie

Galway Choral Association rehearsing with musical director, Norman Duffy

Photos from our 2019 summer concert

Below are some photos from our May 2019 concert.

They are quite low quality, because we didn't hire a professional photographer.   If you have any better quality photos you'd like to share with us, please email admin@galwaychoral.ie.

Galway Choral Association Sings with Simon

Our May 2019 concert will showcase the choir's lighter repertoire, and see us share the stage with the Galway Simon Music Project.

The concert is at 8pm on Saturday 25 May in the Augustinian Church in Middle St.

Tickets are €15 / €12 and are available from Eventbrite, Opus II in High St (091 500 300), choir members or at the door.

Photos from our 2019 Winter concert

Preparations

The performance

After the concert, with our guests

Join a choir in 2019

Galway Choral Association has vacancies for singers in all sections for the 2019 Spring season.

Find out more about us.

Register to attend our open rehearsal.

Or email admin@galwaychoral.ie for details. 

   

Videos from our 2019 Winter Concert - Beethoven's Mass in C major, Opus 86

Kyrie

Gloria

Credo

Sanctus

Benedictus

Agnus Dei

PRESS RELEASE: Banish the winter blues with bold, bright Beethoven

St Nicholas’ Collegiate church will be filled with fantastic music later this month when Galway Choral Association, with an orchestra led by Galway-based ConTempo String Quartet, present one of Beethoven’s finest works.

The choir and orchestra will present Beethoven’s Mass in C major, Op. 86, with soloists Sarah Skerritt, Joyce Byrne, Eoin Hynes and Rory Dunne – under the baton of musical director Norman Duffy. ConTempo will open the concert with performance of Benjamin Britten's String Quartet No. 3 in G Major Op. 94.

“We’re delighted be performing with ConTempo String Quartet again” says Carol Duffy, Chairperson of Galway Choral Association. Several of the choir’s early concerts were joint performances, and these links were re-kindled at our 20th anniversary celebration last year.

“I’ve had a fabulous time preparing for this concert” says Norman Duffy. Beethoven’s Mass in C is a long-underrated masterpiece and has a directness and emotional content which makes it exciting to conduct. The orchestra we have assembled for this concert includes some of Ireland’s finest musicians and it’s an honour to work with them. Our soloists are professional singers, many of whom have worked with the choir previously. And ConTempo are one of the most exciting and vibrant chamber ensembles performing today, having won 14 International Prizes in Chamber Music competitions and performed in concerts around the world. Recently, they were conferred honorary Doctors in Music by the National University of Ireland recognising their achievements since moving to Ireland in 2003.

The concert is at 8pm on Saturday 26 January in St. Nicholas’ Collegiate church in Lombard St. Tickets are €22 / €20, available from Eventbrite, Opus II in High St (091 500 300), choir members or at the door. Further information is available from admin@GalwayChoral.ie or via Facebook.