Published: Wednesday, 10th March, 2010 6:00pm
Wilson's Hospital School Choir in All-Ireland Final
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The Choir from Wilson's Hospital School took part in the All-Ireland Choral Grand Final held in Macroom, County Cork on Friday, February 26.
Wilson's School Choir was one of six competing on the day which is organised as part of the Cork VEC's Choral Festival.
The students set off on the long journey to Cork early on Friday morning full of excitement. They were the third choir to sing in front of the judges and a packed house in the Arts Centre in Macroom.
The Westmeath students opened their performance with "O God beyond all praising" arranged by choir director, Sandra Heslin with a solo from Gordan Greene (Shinrone) and a group verse from Jessica Shekleton (Kingscourt), Davine Harris (Rathowen), Alice Evans (Killucan), Jill Draper (Kilbeggan) and Emma Duke (Rathcoole, Dublin).
This was followed by an unaccompanied version of "Adoramus Te O Christe" arranged for the choir by one of its members, Peter Chambers (Mohill). The first verse was sung in French as a solo by Jill Draper (Kilbeggan). Their final piece was arranged by choir members Eoin O'Neill (Athlone) and Peter Chambers (Mohill) and choir director Sandra Heslin. It was "Shine" by Take That's, sung in two-part harmony with a solo from Eoin O'Neill (Athlone).
Wilson's choir finished in a very credible fourth place which is an excellent result for the Choir in their first ever competition. The overall winners were St. Mary's School, Macroom. The judges commented on the high standard of performances by all the schools.
The Wilson's Hospital School Choir is comprised of over eighty members including pupils ranging from first to sixth years, both boarding pupils and day boarding pupils. It is a mixed choir of boys and girls. They take part in Chapel services each Sunday in the school. The whole choir agreed that their first competition was a brilliant experience. Many congratulations to the choir and their director, Ms. Sandra Heslin.
