Tullamore choir tastes success in North Wales Choral Festival

Tullamore’s Academy Chamber Choir are the proud third place winners of the recent North Wales Choral Festival, it’s been revealed this week.

The choir fended off intense competition from England, Scotland and Wales in the birthplace of choral music to bag the third place spot, leading some to suggest competing was something akin to playing rugby with the All Blacks.

On the evening of November 9 at the festival the Tullamore choir gave a lively rendition of Riu Riu Chiu, followed by the serenity of Suantrai ar Slanaitheora led by soloist Irene Wallace.

The pinnacle of the weekend competition was the mixed choir contest on November 10 however, with 13 professional and amateur choirs from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales pitched against each other.

The Academy Chamber Choir sang El Grillo, O Nata Lux and Rytmus for that contest, with judges confirming the bar was set high with the well-chosen repertoire.

Choir conductor Ciaran Brady said this week coming third in the internationally acclaimed choir competition has merely whetted the choir’s appetite to venture further afield now. The choir has already swept the boards of competitions around Ireland, including the title of National Choir of the Year in Navan last year.

The Academy Chamber Choir will present their annual carol service with Moate’s Youth Choir at St Patrick’s Church in Moate on December 15 at 6pm.

The choir is also currently looking to recruit male singers. More information is available by contacting Ciaran Brady on 057 9301122 or 086 0678250 and checking out www.theacademyofmusic.ie.