Mullingar Choral Society will be joined by the Choir of the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar and Cor Scoil Mhuire this Sunday March 4 for the main concert of the season in the Cathedral.
The Choir of the Cathedral of Christ the King comprises some 20 talented singers, many of whom have studied music and voice to an advanced level. The choir has an extensive repertoire of sacred choral music ranging from plainchant and early polyphony from the sixteenth century to recently composed works from both Ireland and abroad.
The Mullingar Cathedral Choir has been selected as overall winner on RTÉ Lyric FM’s prestigious Choirs for Christmas competition. The choir has performed on both RTÉ radio and television on several occasions in recent years. They have recorded two CD collections, A Jubliee Celebration of Carols and A Feast of Church Music, Past and Present. The choir has also made a very significant contribution to Voices, a charity CD in aid of Cavan Hospice.
The choir has performed in many churches and cathedrals around Ireland and abroad, including St Mary Major Basilica and the Church of St Agnese, Piazza Navona, in Rome (October 2005 ), and in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris (October 2007 ). The Cathedral choir accompanied the Diocese of Meath Diamond Jubilee Pilgrimage to Lourdes in September 2008. The choir has given two evening recitals in the Church of the Assumption, Tullamore, as part of its Summer International Organ Concert Series (June 2003 and September 2011 ).
Gerard Lillis has been organist and director of music at the Cathedral of Christ the King since October 2007. A native of Kilmihil, Co Clare, Gerard was a scholarship student of the Schola Cantorum at St Finian’s College, Mullingar. An honours MA graduate of NUI Maynooth, Gerard was appointed Director of The Schola Cantorum at St Finian’s College in June 2003.
The concert which is kindly sponsored by Mullingar Credit Union and supported by Westmeath County Council will take place on Sunday March 4 in the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar at 8pm. Tickets cost €20 each and are available from Mullingar Art Centre, Days Bazaar, and of course from any choral society member.
