A new video production by the GMIT Virtual Choir, featuring the classic Christmas carol ‘O Holy Night’ sung by staff and students at the institute, has been dedicated to their late colleague Trish Carrick.
The video, which brings together more than 70 staff and student voices, can be viewed at youtu.be/QJIaztRBLu8 and www.facebook.com/GMITOfficial The production features the choristers dressed in black and silver, interspersed with clips of members with their families and friends preparing for the festivities.
This new production has been dedicated to the memory of the late Trish Carrick, whose untimely death from cervical cancer last month has deeply saddened Galway and the GMIT community. Ms Carrick was both a much loved colleague at a GMIT and a member of the choir.
“It had been the choir’s intention to dedicate this song to Trish while she was unwell, but now instead it has been dedicated to her memory, and we would ask you to consider making a donation to Galway Hospice who took such good care of Trish and were a support to her family during her final weeks,” said musical director Seán Rowland.
“‘O Holy Night’ is one of my all-time favourite Christmas carols, and the staff and students have performed this beautiful piece incredibly well,” he added. “Many of us are working remotely at the moment and I am currently based between my original hometown of Leeds and my adopted hometown of Galway. This transition has enabled me to spend more time with my family and especially my dad, who is a proud Mayo man, yet I have never felt as close to the choir as I did last week producing the video. Getting to hear first-hand, both individually and collectively, the huge effort every member put in. An-mhaith one and all.”
‘O Holy Night’ is the fifth song released by GMIT Virtual Choirs since lockdown. Last year the combined GMIT student and staff choirs, together with special guests Scoil íde Children’s Choir, reached number 1 in the Irish iTunes chart with their magical cover of Home Alone’s ‘Somewhere In My Memory’ which raised funds for Galway Hospice. Last month, students recorded the Avicii hit single ‘Hey Brother’, which marked the class of 2020’s virtual conferrings and which has been viewed more than 100,000 times. Also in November, the GMIT Virtual Choir recorded ‘Hold Me Rock Me’, another specially arranged piece by choirmaster Seán Rowland.
Anita Mahony, co-chair of GMIT healthy campus, said: “This new release is beautiful and very moving to us as we think of Trish who, long before our choir was established, used to sing at remembrances services for late staff and students, and at our annual Ash Wednesday Masses. She will be deeply missed.”
“I’d like to thank our amazing choir director Seán Rowland who has given so generously of his time and talents this past year, uplifting us all during the lockdowns.”
