2021 Choirs
Find out more about the wonderful choirs performing at Limerick Sings 2021!
The ABCs & the Al CapPellas (Cork)
Choirs have flourished in St Aloysius’ College for more than 80 years. Our choirs form the backbone of every celebration. 2018 began the collaboration between IABS and the graduate class of 2020. Barbershop singing hit the school like a bug and students from each year group in the school came together to perform at their first Convention. With mentoring from Cherry Hartshorn and continuing professional development from IABS the choir has gone from strength to strength. Enjoying a “Big Sing” in Birr with fellow barbershoppers, competing in the choral festival, our annual carol service & celebrating 140 years of the SMG Sisters in Carrigtwohill.
The girls come from every year group in the school. Their dedication knows no bounds; as well as practising after school they are always happy to skip lunch in favour of improving their performance. The highlight of 2019 was our performance at the IABS Convention in Killarney. 2020 saw new challenges with COVID-19. This encouraged the launch of Singout4wellness. Despite being in isolation, the ABCs managed to sing, rehearse and record a little.
For this occasion we decided to collaborate with the past pupils chorus and record Feelin’ Good to welcome all students back to the school.
Performing in Choral Trail 4 - Saturday 12th June, 4pm
AnÚna
In 1987, Dublin composer Michael McGlynn founded ANÚNA.
The choir's name, originally An Uaithne, derives from the collective term for the three ancient types of Irish music Suantraí (lullaby),Geantraí (happy song) and Goltraí (lament).
While the group is based in Dublin, Ireland, its membership is drawn from all over the world. All of their material is written or arranged for the group by McGlynn, and includes reconstructions of early and medieval music from Ireland and beyond presented in a candle-lit, costumed ambience that allows the group to connect with a very wide variety of audience despite the eclectic nature of the music they sing.
ANÚNA created the vocal ambience of Riverdance (1994-1996), achieved a Top 10 placing on the U.K. Singles Charts while remaining at Number 1 on the Irish singles charts for eighteen weeks. While curating the Meltdown Festival at London's South Bank, Elvis Costello invited ANÚNA to perform as featured guests and in 2011 they featured on DVD and CD with the pioneering Australian children's entertainers The Wiggles.
A number of ANÚNA singers have gone on to carve very successful careers as solo artists including singer-songwriter Hozier [2007 - 2012] and five of the lead soloists in the phenomenally successful Celtic Woman.
In complete contrast, as a classical choral ensemble ANÚNA have sung on many of the greatest stages in the world, and have collaborated with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland on two major concerts of McGlynn's compositions at Dublin's National Concert Hall (2009 & 2010).
ANÚNA have an active and highly successful Education & Outreach programme that has been responsible for workshops across China, Japan, Spain, Belgium, Israel, Sweden, Canada, Poland, the UK and The Netherlands.
ANÚNA have released seventeen albums since 1991 and have been featured artists on three Grammy Award-winning albums.
Performing in Concert - Friday 11th June, 7pm
Aoide Voices (Limerick)
Aoide (Pronounced as Ay-oh-dee, meaning 'to sing') was formed in September 2014, as part of the Mid-West Vocal Academy and Music School, and is a mixed voice community choir based in the Castletroy area of Limerick.
In Greek mythology, Aoide was the muse of song, and we love to sing! In its short existence, the choir has grown to seventy members and has already performed many fundraising concerts, most recently raising money for Limerick Animal Welfare, Limerick Lions Club, CMRF Crumlin, Children’s Grief Centre, Limerick Suicide Watch & most recently Milford Care Centre.
The choir covers popular, upbeat music, and is non-auditioning. Everyone from the beginner to the experienced is welcome to join in a relaxed and fun learning environment, led by baritone, Owen Gilhooly-Miles. Aoide was delighted to win the ‘First Time Competitors’ Competition at the 2017 Mayo International Choral Competition, as well as second place in the 2018 Choirs from Ireland competition.
Performing in our Outdoor Chorus - Friday 11th June, 12pm
And in Choral Trail 4 - Saturday 12th June, 4pm
The Bella Donnas (Cork)
The Bella Donnas are the talented 5th year students who have continued choir for Senior Cycle at St Aloysius’ College Carrigtwohill. Usually they would be on hand to celebrate and enhance every school event with music.
They’ve proved the show must go on by rehearsing at home, outdoors, online and making recordings for Mental Health week, our annual Carol service and the Cork Choral Festival. These ladies would have shared the City Hall stage in Third year and hope to get there again in Sixth year.
Performing in Choral Trail 1 - Friday 11th June, 1pm
Cardiff County & Vale of Glamorgan Youth Choir (CCVG) (Wales)
CCVG Youth Choir is a dynamic group of young singers aged 14-18, who are part of the Music Service programme for Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan. Lead by Hollie Clark and James Davies, with Jâms Coleman accompanist, these young singers perform at St David's Hall, City Hall and at special events, to critical acclaim. One of the recent highlights was performing for Shirley Bassey as she was given freedom of the City.
During lockdown the choir has produced several videos for virtual concerts and for the National Holocaust Memorial day. They meet weekly, online for now, but will be returning to their home at Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff in the near future.
Performing in Choral Trail 5 - Sunday 13th June, 1pm
Chamber Choir Ireland
Garnering a strong reputation for its unique approach to creative commissioning, recording and programming, Chamber Choir Ireland is the country’s flagship choral ensemble and national chamber choir under the Artistic Direction of the multi-award-winning conductor, Paul Hillier. The Choir’s programmes span from early renaissance to the present day, incorporating established choral classics with cutting edge commissions, and a style of performance that incorporates versatility, dynamism and often vocal pyrotechnics.
Chamber Choir Ireland performances have been described as having a tone which is ‘liquid in its power and purity’ with a ‘strong vocal flexibility of style’ (Belfast Telegraph). The Choir has a strong commitment to touring in Ireland and continues to develop its touring network in order to present high quality choral concerts to audiences around the country. International touring has included the USA, UK, Belgium, Russia, Germany and South America.
The choir has previously recorded for the Harmonia Mundi, RTE Lyric FM labels including the world premiere recording of works by Gerald Barry, Barry meets Beethoven, featuring the Crash Ensemble and Stephen Richardson on the Orchid Classics label. The most recent release garnering a 5-star review in the Irish Times was Letters which included the CCI commission Triptych by David Fennessy and A Letter of Rights by Tarik O’Regan & Alice Goodman on the Naxos label (November 2020).
Chamber Choir Ireland has a strong Learning and Participation programme, including in Composers in the Classroom, Choral Sketches, Sing! at Axis:Ballymun and a lecture series on the history of choral music in Ireland.
Chamber Choir Ireland receives principal funding & support from the Arts Council/ an Chomhairle Ealaíon with additional support from Dublin City Council.
Chamber Choir Ireland is a resident ensemble at the National Concert Hall of Ireland, Associate Artists to Dublin City University, and a member of TENSO – the network of professional chamber choirs in Europe
Performing in Concert - Sunday 13th June, 7pm
Coral de la Universitat d'Alacant - (Spain)
The Coral of Alicante University is part of the Vice-Chancellor of Culture. It is made up of about 50 members and has a clear intergenerational vocation. In its more than 20 years of experience, along with the central element of the formative aspect, the choir performs numerous concerts and participates in the academic and institutional events of the university.
Directed in this course by Shlomo Rodríguez, the choir has clearly consolidated, performing in the previous course the premiere of Gaetano Donizetti's opera L'Elisir d'amore. His repertoire has been heard in competitions such as the Universitat Cantat in the Polish city of Poznan, at the Perpignan Music Festival, the University of Córdoba or the Polytechnic University of Valencia, among others. Likewise, the Coral has held concerts throughout the province, in Sedes, Aulas and municipalities throughout the province of Alicante.
Performing in Choral Trail 2 - Friday 11th June, 4pm
CrUinniú na nÓg - Ireland
Óró sé do bheatha 'bhaile is in a new arrangement by Mark Armstrong for Sing Ireland and Creative Ireland and having its premiere performance for Cruinniú na nÓg.
Cruinniú na nÓg is a flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme’s Creative Youth plan to enable the creative potential of children and young people. This year it takes place on 13th June.
Over 100 singers (some audio only) from choirs and schools throughout Ireland, took part and formed a special virtual choir performance.
Dedicated to the young singers and musicians of Ireland whose creativity inspires us all.
Performing in Choral Trail 1 - Friday 11th June, 1pm
Discovery Gospel Choir (waterford) & Malawi Choir
Discovery Gospel Choir is Ireland’s leading multi-cultural choir, singing songs of hope from all over the world. Our membership currently spans 14 different nationalities, and we sing in 30 different languages.
Our motto is “Discovery Beauty in Everyone”, and everywhere we go, we share our vision of a modern, diverse Ireland through our vibrant performances.
Performing in Choral Trail 2 - Friday 11th June, 4pm
The FrontLine Choir (USA & worldwide)
Michael E. Merritt, a registered nurse, playwright and producer, united over 120 people from 11 different countries to support and uplift theater professionals across the globe by organizing “The Frontline Choir,” a company made up of frontline workers, a dance group and theatre professionals to give back to the theatre industry and celebrate the performing arts.
Performing in Choral Trail 3 - Saturday 12th June, 1pm
Harmony Federation (Ireland)
Harmony Federation was founded in 2011 and is a male ‘a cappella’ group singing in Barbershop style. We are Ireland’s National Men’s Barbershop Chorus. We meet once a month in Dublin and this allows our members, who come from all over Ireland, to also sing with other groups – mixed voice, male voice choruses and musical societies.
Our Director since 2015 is the award-winning Linda Corcoran, who brings a wealth of experience, energy and a deep and genuine passion for close harmony singing.
Performing in Choral Trail 3 - Saturday 12th June, 1pm
Hong Kong Gay Men's Chorus
The Hong Kong Gay Men's Chorus (HKGMC) is a group of about 20 like-minded, out and proud gay men, living in or born in Hong Kong. Their aim is to entertain and inspire through pop-tastic hit songs. The group holds engaging performances online and across different venues in Hong Kong, performing fun, pop/pop-rock, chart-based music that audiences love to hear.
The Chorus provides an amazing and friendly space for gay men to come together. They are honoured to be included in the Limerick Sings Festival.
HKGMC members are a blend of professional and amateur singers of Chinese, Filipino, Thai, American, Israeli, Canadian, British, and Irish descent. They came together to have fun through singing, and to offer something upbeat, lively and enjoyable for themselves and their audiences.
Performing in Choral Trail 3 - Saturday 12th June, 1pm
International Harmony (Dublin)
We are an international women's a-cappella choir of approx. 20 members. We have been singing together under the tuition of our wonderful conductor Valerie Werner for 20 years. During this period over 70 women from 20 different nationalities have sung with us, and many long-lasting friendships have evolved.
Performing in Choral Trail 5 - Sunday 13th June, 1pm
Kingdom Singers (Scotland)
We are a mixed four part choir of around 20 singers based in Dunfermline (Fife), who perform a wide repertoire to many groups throughout Central Scotland. We formed in 1994 under the direction of the late Arthur Sutton, and now are led by Willie Campbell, an experienced organist/choirmaster.
Normally we present two main concerts (in Spring and at Christmas), but due to pandemic restrictions over the last year this has not been possible. We have continued to rehearse virtually, and in recent months have uploaded a number of online recordings to YouTube.
Performing in our Choral Trail 4 - Saturday 12th June, 4pm
Laurel Hill ColÁiste fcj Choir (Limerick)
The choir of Laurel Hill Coláiste is comprised of students from 1st to 6th year. At 120 voices strong, almost a third of the school are involved in the choir. They are regular concert performers who enjoy singing a wide variety of music. They particularly enjoy performing newly commissioned works. The choir also compete on a regular basis and are past winners of the Cork Choral Festival.
Even though the choir is a very large one, every voice is cherished, no matter how small.
Performing in Choral Trail 1 - Friday 11th June, 1pm
Limerick Chamber Choir
Limerick Chamber Choir was formed by Máire Keary-Scanlon in 2017. The choir is made up of singers from the Limerick area with diverse musical backgrounds, many of whom have performed together previously in other ensembles.
A significant part of their repertoire to date has been works by living composers, both Irish and international, however the choir does enjoy singing works from other eras too.
Most recently, Limerick Chamber Choir brought their concert Of Stars And Light to audiences in Limerick and Wicklow, they performed in St Mary's Cathedral for Limerick Mental Health Week, and they performed the European premiere of the National Geographic Symphony For Our World at the LIT Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, together with an 80-strong symphony orchestra. It was the only Irish performance of this monumental work, and the choir was delighted for the invitation to be the featured vocal ensemble.
Limerick Chamber Choir performed the world premiere of three choral works by Seán Doherty at the Bealtaine Festival in 2017, and in future they endeavour to continue to provide a platform for the works of both emerging and established Irish choral composers
Performing in our Outdoor Chorus - Friday 11th June, 12pm
Limerick choral union
Limerick Choral Union (LCU), an amateur choir now in its 57th year, was established in 1964. It is an oratorio choir based in the heart of Limerick City, and the aim is to make choral singing accessible, enjoyable and rewarding for the singers and audience alike. Since its foundation, LCU has maintained its endeavours to encourage new talents into the choir and to continue to perform the best and most exciting choral works to its audiences.
LCU has performed in churches, cathedrals, and in community and concert halls throughout Ireland and in many countries across Europe spreading the joy of singing far and wide and showcasing the talent and dedication and the love that exists in Limerick for singing and choral music. LCU sees itself as an ambassador for Limerick and Ireland, promoting its talents locally, nationally and internationally. The choir has toured and performed in France, Poland, Slovenia, Italy, Bulgaria and England and has also collaborated with many other choirs and orchestras over the years.
It is a choir for both professionals and non-professionals; everyone is welcome providing they can sing in tune. The choir aims to raise awareness of the benefit of singing for mental health. There is a great camaraderie amongst members with regular events being organised in which all members are encouraged to take part. The message is “singing is good for you”.
LCU is a progressive choir, always learning new repertoire, singing in many languages – Irish, French, German, Italian, Latin, and Russian and challenging both members and audiences to more complex and demanding choral works.
Performing in our Outdoor Chorus - Friday 11th June, 12pm
Limerick Youth Choir
The Limerick Youth Choir was founded in 2007 as an initiative of the County Arts Office, giving a choral training ground and platform to young people between the ages of 17 and 28 from all over Limerick City and County. They achieved huge success very quickly, and have performed to great acclaim all over Ireland and as far afield as France, Austria and Finland.
Winners of several competitions under the direction of Máire Keary-Scanlon, many past members have gone on to have full-time careers in singing, both as soloists and as members of professional choirs. Singing a vast and varied repertoire, this choir has recently begun to train the younger male chorister as part-time members and this is proving to be a very successful and exciting venture.
Performing in our Outdoor Chorus - Friday 11th June, 12pm And in Choral Trail 1 - Friday 11th June, 1pm
Milton Keynes Community Choir (England)
Milton Keynes Community Choir has been in existence since 2008.
It is founded on the idea of singing for fun! We meet weekly to rehearse, and we perform Christmas concerts and sing at other events throughout the year. Our aim is to enjoy ourselves, entertain our audience and raise funds for a variety of charities.
We have taken part in a few amazing events over the years, including the World Premiere of Shout Out by David Lang, Voices Now at the Roundhouse 2015, and the LSO Gospel extravaganza at the Barbican in 2020. Online we hosted a joint concert with the award winning Big Yellow Electric Umbrella Choir.
Performing in Choral Trail 4 - Saturday 12th June, 4pm
The Music Men (Dublin/Cork)
We are seven gentlemen based in North Dublin, and conductor Lorena Gillard based in Cork. Our formation centred on Lorena not being able to travel home at Christmas. Lorena’s Dad said he’d love to do a virtual recording with some of his buddies who were missing choir.
So began our Sunday afternoon singing. We started small with a unison song and have built up to 3 parts. Each member learns the melody, records it and then learns another part. Let It Be is our third virtual recording. We’ve astounded ourselves at our new “tech savvy,” loved singing remotely, and hope we brought a smile to people’s faces.
Performing in Choral Trail 3 - Saturday 12th June, 1pm
New Dublin Voices
New Dublin Voices is a leading Irish chamber choir founded by its international award-winning conductor Bernie Sherlock. Renowned for programming that is innovative and exciting, the choir has given more than 60 world premieres and takes special pleasure in exploring the music of living composers. New Dublin Voices leads the way in commissioning, premiering, performing and disseminating Irish choral music, both in Ireland and abroad, and in introducing music from outside Ireland to audiences here at home.
New Dublin Voices has enjoyed great success on the elite European competition circuit. The choir has won prizes at competitions in France, Hungary, Germany, Finland, Belgium, Spain, England, Slovenia, Latvia and Italy. In 2019 the choir took First Prize in the City of Derry International Choir Festival and Third Prize in Marktoberdorf, Germany. It won First Prize for mixed choirs at the 2018 Béla Bartók International Choral Competition in Hungary, and the overall Grand Prix at the International Baltic Sea Choral Competition in Latvia in 2017. Previous awards include First Prize in Cork 2015, the Grand Prix in Arezzo 2013, all six prizes in Maasmechelen, Belgium in 2011, and the Grand Prix at the Budapest International Choir Competition in 2009.
New Dublin Voices also travels simply to give concerts at the invitation of prestigious international festivals. This includes tours in Switzerland, France, Spain, the UK and the USA. In 2017 New Dublin Voices was the first Irish choir invited to perform at the triennial World Symposium on Choral Music.
Performing in Choral Trail 5 - Sunday 13th June, 1pm
North Bay Choral Society (Canada)
The North Bay Choral Society is led by Lynda (Bertrand) Burtch who joined us in 2013 as our Director. Lynda comes to the Choral Society with a long list of credits. She is an instrumentalist, singer, vocal director, educator and winner of a Community Service Award in her home town of Sturgeon Falls, Ontario. Lynda holds academic honours from the University of Western Ontario and York University.
The North Bay Choral Society is made up of members of all ages and from all walks of life. We are brought together by our common bond, the love of singing. The choir performs two major concerts a year and also performs may small concerts in the community to support seniors. They have performed a variety of repertoire over the years from classical to pop and this year have moved to performing virtually. We have been blessed to meet every Monday night and continue to support each other musically throughout the season.
Performing in Choral Trail 4 - Saturday 12th June, 4pm
Presentation Ballyphehane Transition year Choir (Cork)
Presentation Secondary School has a very strong choral tradition and has regularly participated in the Cork International Choral festival, under the direction of Ms Anne Dunphy. The choir has won numerous awards, including the John Cunningham Trophy for best school choir of the festival. It is widely renowned for its historic double victory in the All-Island School Choir Competition in 2010 and 2013 which was broadcast live on RTE.
Presentation Secondary School TY Choir was formed as part of the transition year arts and culture program, under the direction of Ms Olivia Forde. As part of the course, the girls were preparing to put on a production of songs from the hit musical Mamma Mia. Due to current restrictions, they have not been able to proceed with rehearsals and submitted their recordings of this particular track during lockdown.
Perforning in Choral Trail 1 - Friday 11th June, 1pm
Seoda chamber choir (Limerick)
Seoda Chamber Choir was formed in September 2004 and in the years since has gained for itself a significant reputation as an award-winning chamber choir of high quality.
Comprising 20 female singers, the choir sings in 3, 4, 5 and 6 part harmonies and performs a broad range of work, from 16th century madrigals to contemporary classical and modern songs. The choir has performed extensively at home and abroad, including visits to France, Italy, Germany, Austria and the UK. The Choir Director is Máire Keary-Scanlon.
Performing in Choral Trail 5 - Sunday 13th June, 1pm
Voces Bravas (Spain)
Our choir started 20 years ago in a cultural association called Gruñidos Salvajes (Wild Grunts). We are a social choir, we have sung at manifestations, shelters for battered women, centers for the homeless, etc. Our style is eclectic but we mostly sing pop music arrangements.
Performing in Choral Trail 2 - Friday 11th June, 4pm
voices of limerick
Voices of Limerick is a mixed-voice SATB Choir which was formed in 1992 and from the outset has concentrated on Grand Opera choruses, as well as choruses from Gilbert & Sullivan, Lehar and others. Colette Davis is the choir’s Musical Director. Colette, as well as being a gifted pianist and accompanist, had acted as Chorus Mistress to the Limerick Choral and Operatic Society for many of its productions.
At the time that Barra O’Tuama Productions was presenting Irish audiences with the opportunity to hear top opera singers from Opera Houses throughout Europe, Voices of Limerick were invited to sing many of the great Grand Opera Choruses, and so the choir became familiar to audiences in Dublin and Cork as well as Limerick. Among the greats of opera that performed in these Gala Concerts were Jose Cura, Paolo Gavanelli, Marzio Giossi and Barbara Kilduff. The choir has also been privileged to perform with many of leading Irish singers such as Frank Patterson, Cara O’Sullivan, Virginia Kerr and Regina Nathan, as well as with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
Performing in our Outdoor Chorus - Friday 11th June, 12pm
Zanggroep We Willen Zo Graag (Netherlands)
Many people no longer sing out loud because the songs they once knew can no longer be heard on radio or television. Our aim is not only to sing for people, but also to get the people to sing along with us. A capella singing group We Willen Zo Graag consists of seven female singers and one male singer. We sing traditional Dutch folksongs, old national songs and Dutch songs that were once popular during the 1940s-1960s, all in three-part arrangements. The songs we sing are taught and studied by ear, not from sheet music. We like to sing medleys and canons and perform dressed in traditional folkloristic costumes from around the beginning of the 20th Century. We are proud to show our Dutch heritage.
Performing in Choral Trail 2 - Friday 11th June, 4pm
WORKSHOP & IN CONVERSATION Directors
Michael J. Barrett
Michael Joseph Barrett is the conductor of the University of Pretoria (Tuks) Camerata and a senior lecturer in Choral Conducting in the Department of Music.
Michael’s choirs have won numerous national and international awards, as well as choral competitions all over the world, including the Grand Prix of Nations (Latvia, 2017); the 8th World Choir Games (Latvia, 2014) and the St Petersburg Choral Competition (Russia, 2013) among others. In 2017, Tuks Camerata was invited to perform at the World Choral Symposium in Barcelona, Spain. The choir has released three CDs, which were all nominated for South African Music Awards.
Michael is also an active composer and arranger whose music is published internationally and he is also the executive director and co-producer of Capital Singers, South Africa’s largest community choir project.
Lucy Champion
Lucy Champion was born in England, and graduated from the London College of Music with a graduate honours degree, specialising in acoustics and sound recording.
Lucy has worked in orchestral management with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the Wren Orchestra and the Ulster Orchestra. She moved to Dublin in 1998 and held the post of Education and Community Outreach Manager at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, for ten years.
As well as being a member of and Education Co-Ordinator with the renowned vocal group ANÚNA, she is also a freelance musician, vocal coach, artist manager, and currently in her last year of training as an Alexander Technique practitioner.
James Davey
James is one of the UK's most distinguished and respected choral directors, in demand for his work as conductor, choir trainer, arranger and adjudicator.
He is Musical Director for Chantage, winners of the Malta International Choral Competition Grand Prix 2015 and BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year 2006, the Chandos Chamber Choir, Amici Cantate, Halstead Choral and 4Tunes, the award-winning staff choir at Channel 4 TV in association with Music in Offices.
James is conducting tutor for the Association of British Choral Directors and in 2018 he co-founded the London International Choral Conducting Competition (LICCC), the first of it's kind in the UK, based at the Royal Academy of Music.
Bernie Sherlock
Bernie Sherlock is one of Ireland’s premier choral conductors and founder-conductor of the international award-winning chamber choir New Dublin Voices choir.
New Dublin Voices has established itself as one of Ireland’s leading chamber choirs since its formation in 2005. Known for its television, radio and recording work, and for its innovative concert programming, NDV is also prominent on the international competition circuit with major prizes from competitions in France, Germany, Hungary, Finland and Italy, including the Grand Prix at the 2009 Budapest International Choir Competition where Bernie was also awarded the prize for best conductor.
Bernie is a Music Lecturer at DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama.
