‘Honour of a lifetime’ for Sacred Heart School Choir this weekend
The Choir from the Sacred Heart School in Tullamore have described their upcoming trip to Rome this weekend – during which they will perform at St. Peter's Basilica – as the “honour of a lifetime.”
In what has been hailed as due recognition of the musical excellence and spiritual dedication of the award-winning school choir, the trip to Rome marks a major milestone, not only for the members of the choir but also for the entire Sacred Heart School and the local community.
The opportunity to sing in the hallowed surroundings of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome for the girls from the Sacred Heart, under the baton of their Music teacher and Choir Director, James Murphy, is set against the backdrop of a series of standout performances over the past few years, including live performances on RTÉ where the choir’s blend of classical sacred music and youthful harmony drew admiration from music directors across the country.
“To sing in a place of such profound spiritual significance is a fantastic opportunity,” said James Murphy, director of the Sacred Heart School’s Choir. “St. Peter’s Basilica is the heart of Catholicism, and to be heard in that space is a humbling honour.”
As well as singing in St Peter's Basilica, the SHS Choir will also tour religious and historical sites in the Eternal City including the Colosseum and Basilica of Mary Majors. “We’re so proud of these students,” said Principal Pauline McKenna. “They’ve worked incredibly hard, and now they’re being recognised on the global stage. We hope the entire community will rally behind them and we’re delighted than many parents and alumni of the SHS will be joining us.”
The choir is putting the finishing touches to a special repertoire for the basilica performance, ahead of their departure to Rome tomorrow (Saturday). The programme they will perform features sacred works in Latin, English and Irish in addition to works by living Irish composers including John O'Keeffe and Ronan McDonagh.
After many months of hard work and preparation, the choir members remain focused and grateful for the opportunity to travel to Rome and perform in one of the most revered spaces in the Catholic tradition, and are inmensely proud to represent their school and town in such magnificent surroundings.