2009 CHOIR EXCHANGE
MAYO SCHOOL OF MUSIC YOUTH CHOIR AND
ANAM YOUTH CHOIR
57 girls between the ages of 10 and 18 traveled to Kill in Co. Kildare last weekend
for a Choir Exchange Weekend with Anam Youth Choir. This was the second exchange
by the
choirs with Anam visiting Kiltimagh last year.
The girls traveled up on Friday evening and were warmly welcomed by Anam in the
luxurious
Palmerstown House PGA International. After renewing acquaintances and
once the fun activities
finished the girls left with their host families.
Saturday was a busy day with Drama and Vocal Workshops and Rehearsals for that
evening’s concert. There was fantastic support with 47 friends and family traveling from
Mayo to the concert. By 8:00pm the function room at the Palmerstown House was full to
capacity and the concert started with 4 numbers by the Mayo Choir. Soloist Barbra
Galvin-Sheridan (backing singer to Andrea Boceilli) performed some lovely pieces and
Anam Choir completed to the interval.
After the interval the concert took the same format and for the finale both Choirs joined
on stage to sing “Thank You for the Music”. At the end the choirs were given a well
deserved standing ovation. It was a wonderful night of entertainment given by two excellent
youth choirs. Many tributes were given to the Mayo School of Music Youth Choir for their
choral ability and their impeccable conduct over the weekend.
On Sunday before the goodbyes, both choirs sang at 12:00 mass in Kill. Leanne Nichols,
Chairperson of the Mayo School of Music Youth Choir thanked their Music Director
Finola Higgins-Cosgrove and Accompanist Avril Forde McGreal. She also thanked the
committee for their hard work and Sheila and Christina Cannon for their help over the
weekend.
Both Choirs at the 2009 Choir Exchange
Musical Director Finola Higgins-Cosgrove and Leslie McCarthy present the Chairpersons of both
choirs with a gift for their hard work in preparing for the exchange weekend.
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2008 CHOIR EXCHANGE
MAYO SCHOOL OF MUSIC YOUTH CHOIR AND ANAM
EXCHANGE 2008:
The Mayo School of Music Youth Choir and ANAM from Kill Co. Kildare are recovering from an action packed weekend of music and song. Anam arrived to a huge welcome on Friday evening. After meeting their host families they spent the evening being entertained by the Mayo girls with a musical table quiz and other musical activities. By 10pm on Friday the two choirs had become lifelong friends!
After a good nights sleep, the girls all met again at The Park Hotel on Saturday morning for a morning of singing workshops and rehearsals. The day flew by and before we knew it, it was time for the concert. An unforgettable night was had by all. After amazing performances by both choirs, the girls danced the night away with a karaoke.
There were plenty of tears on Sunday afternoon when Anam finally said their goodbyes and headed off on the journey back to Kildare.
Plans are already being made for next year when The Mayo School of Music Youth Choir will travel to Kildare for a return visit. Exciting times ahead!
Musical Director of "Anam" Leslie McCarthy presents Finola Higgins-Cosgrove
and Avril Forde-McGreal with t-shirts bearing the crest of both choirs.
Above, Finola gets the choir together for last instruction.
Below, Leslie prepare's her troups for the big night.
Above, both choirs in full voice.
Below, just before last goodbyes.
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