Gaeilge
One of the biggest choirs ever seen in Donegal takes to the stage at An Grianan Theatre in Letterkenny on Tuesday night (21st) for the ETB ‘One Voice’ concert.
The sound is expected to be something special – the choir features more than 200 young singers from across the post-primary schools of the Donegal Education and Training Board.
Conducting will be Margaret McAteer, music teacher at Errigal College in Letterkenny.
ETB staff aren’t going to be left out. Around 60 staff members have been preparing two special songs to end the first half. They’ll be conducted by Eileen Kennedy-Carr from the Abbey Vocational in Donegal Town.
Also on the programme are guest performers from Crana College, Buncana, recent winners of an All-Ireland dance and drama competition in Mullingar; guitarist Rory McLaughlin of Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny, winner in the 2017 Gael Linn ‘Scléip’ talent contest; and a dance trio from Errigal College.
Another treat will be the playing of the outstanding young pianist Maciek Ferlewicz from the Abbey.
Saxtet, a great line-up of young sax players, will represent the Donegal Music Education Partnership, also part of the ETB.
The concert starts at 8pm and will conclude at 10pm. Some tickets are still available from An Grianan box office or online at www.angrianan.com
Martin Gormley, director of schools with the ETB, will be master of ceremonies on the night. He said the concert is a big occasion for them.
“The sight and sound of more than 200 of our students on stage is going to be very special,” he said. “We’ve been delighted with the response to this concert right across our 15 post-primary schools in the county. Naturally our music teachers have been very important. A lot of work has gone in with the students in recent weeks.
“It promises to be a night to remember.”
The concert idea came from Margaret McAteer at Errigal College. Margaret is well-known from her work with choirs including the Colmcille Gospel Choir and more recently the Errigal Singers.
Margaret said: “I thought it would be lovely to show the great singing talent we have across all our schools in the ETB, from Carrick to Fintown to Inishowen. Everyone has really taken the project on board, and worked hard at it. They’ve been rehearsing for weeks. I think it will be one of the musical nights of the year.”