GMIT Voices, a choir comprising staff and retired staff members from GMIT's Galway and Mayo campuses, have released their first virtual choir video of the academic term. The video and song, 'Hold Me, Rock Me', is now available on GMIT social media channels on Facebook and YouTube.
More than 40 staff and retired staff, along with guests from the Technological Higher Education Association (THEA ), took part in Zoom rehearsals over the past four weeks, submitting their videos to choir master and musical director Seán Rowland to combine together into this beautiful production which is being shared far and wide since its release earlier this week.
“I chose this song in particular as it is a little different and is rather spiritual and soothing," said choir director Seán Rowland. "The lyrics and melody along with the five parts are a gentle reminder that all will be well. With all lyrics you can take from it what you will, however I hope this is a message of calm. It’s also very fitting with November being the month of remembrance."
The choir plans to release two further videos this term. The student choir is currently recording the 2013 Avicii hit 'Hey Brother', which will form part of all the virtual GMIT graduation ceremonies later this month, while the combined student and staff choirs are rehearsing for 'O Holy Night', which will be released in early December.
“The arrangement of the classic 'O Holy Night' sounded just fabulous during the first Zoom rehearsals, and to make it a little extra special I decided to light up my studio with candles and fairy lights and even donned one of my many Christmas jumpers for the occasion," Mr Rowland said. "It’s never too early to spread some festive cheer and I think this year deserves a little extra joy.”
Last year Seán Rowland brought great pride to the GMIT community when 'Somewhere in my Memory' from the film Home Alone was performed by the GMIT student and staff choirs together with fourth class pupils from Scoil Ide primary school. It reached number one in the Irish iTunes chart. The performance was also a fundraiser for Galway Hospice.
Previous releases by GMIT choirs include John Lennon’s 'Imagine' and an original mash-up of M-People’s 'Search For the Hero, combined with the well-known 'Oh Happy Day'.
