It’s time to sing together again!

“It’s time to sing together again”

This is the phrase inspiring Galway Choral Association as we plan to re-commence in-person rehearsals.

“It’s been incredibly difficult deciding when to start again”, says musical director Norman Duffy. “Our plan is to begin rehearsals on Sunday 13 February. We hope to host a light collaborative concert in May/June 2022. Our main goal is a performance of Mozart’s Requiem, with orchestra and soloists, in January 2023. We may have to adapt to public-health circumstances – but this is the type of music that we want to perform, and it is so important to look to the future positively.”

“To start with, we’re going to work on getting the choir into singing fitness”, says Norman. “This will include both individual breathing and vocal techniques, and also working to make a good choral sound. Our accompanist, Dympna O'Byrne will be a great help during this period, and as we start to work on more challenging pieces.”

“As a choir, we were incredibly lucky,” says Carol Duffy, Chairperson of Galway Choral Association. “Our last concert was a performance of Haydn’s Missa in Angustiis in early March 2020. The memory of that night and the fabulous music we were able to make together has sustained us through dark days and difficult attempts at being a virtual choir and rehearsing on-line.”

Our plans are, of course, subject to public health guidelines. We rehearse in St Patrick’s Bandhall and have been consulting with their committee about the protocols for using the hall, and using the screens and other features which have been added.

“New members are welcome during the first three weeks of our season”, says Norman Duffy. Please contact us, either through Facebook or by emailing admin@galwaychoral.ie to meet me for a vocal assessment.

Singing Haydn in March 2020