The winners of this year’s All-Island Schools Choir Competition, Moate Community School, will be taking part in the annual Samaritan Christmas Concert.
Moate Community School were crowned All-Island School Choir winners on Sunday night during the live competition which was broadcasst from Titanic Belfast.
Winning choir director Lorna Duignan said following the announcement: “I am very proud of this choir. I would like to thank RTÉ, Co-operation Ireland, and especially Tommie Gorman for giving us the opportunity to participate at this level. We would not be here without the amazing support and encouragement from parents, staff and management. In particular our principal Tom Lowry and our deputy principals, Maura Murray and Carmel McCormack.
“I would also like to thank all in our music department, especially Giselle Foley, Annemarie Farrell, and Ciarán Brady. The students have worked tirelessly and it is their talent, commitment and enthusiasm that makes it so enjoyable and worthwhile. So again, we are very proud of them!”
Moate Community School has a very long tradition of choral singing in the school. Their school choir consists of approximately 100 members with students from first to sixth year, both male and female. They also have junior and senior chamber choirs for those who are very passionate about music and are willing to invest time and effort into perfecting a challenging repertoire as part of a group.
A choir of 38 will be performing at the Samaritans 23rd Annual Christmas Festival Concert which will be held in the Franciscan Friary Church, Athlone on Thursday December 11 at 8pm.
It will also feature the Army 2 Bde Band, conductor Coy Sgt Terry Donovan, Simon Casey, The Athlone Pipe Band and the compere on the night will be RTÉ’s Cathal Murray.
Tickets are €12 and available at Franciscan Friary, Athlone and Midland Sound Equipment, Castle Gift Shop, and Cunningham Chemists.
The Samaritans are available on freephone 116 123, 24 hours a day for anyone who is troubled, despairing, or just needs to talk to someone in confidence. You can also email [email protected].
