Mullingar Choral Society’s ‘Christmas Festival’ returns

After an absence of three years, the members of Mullingar Choral Society are looking forward to performing their Christmas Festival on Sunday December 4 in the Cathedral of Christ the King.

There has been a real sense of anticipation and excitement at rehearsals over the last few weeks as the choir began to realise that the concert is getting closer and that the voices, silent for too long, will again ring out in the magnificent surroundings of the Cathedral.

As a choir, Mullingar Choral Society have never shied away from a challenge and this year is no exception.

With so many familiar pieces available at Christmas, it would be easier to perform the well known, tried and trusted repertoire, but, under the guidance of the musical director, Fintan Farrelly, they have added quite a few new pieces to the catalogue.

They will perform ‘Northern Lights’ by Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo, a haunting melody which, while challenging, brings together the four sections of the choir in beautiful harmony.

They will also perform ‘There shall a Star’ by Felix Mendelssohn, ‘Hodie’, by Laura Shiels and the Ukrainian song, ‘Carol of the Bells’ by M Leontovich.

Added to these will be the more familiar: ‘In the Bleak Mid-Winter’ by Harold Darke, a Michael Clawson adaptation of ‘the First Noel, and a opportunity for all those attending the Concert to sing along to ‘Jingle Bells’, ‘Hark the Herald Angels’ and many more familiar pieces without which no Christmas Concert would be complete.

The society are delighted to have Helen Hassett as the soloist and her performance of ‘O Holy Night’ is something many will look forward to hearing.

Mullingar Choral Society have a tradition of inviting the children from local primary schools to perform with them and this year they welcome St Colman’s NS, Mullingar.

The music for the concert will be provided by the Arioso string quartet and the keyboard accompaniment by Gerard Lillis.

For many in Mullingar and further afield, the Mullingar Choral Society’s Christmas Concert was the official launch of the Christmas season – having missed the experience in recent years, locals are looking forward to hearing the choir perform again and the choir are also looking forward to bringing Christmas cheer to all who attend.

Tickets for the concert are available from any member of the choir, from the Cathedral shop or at the door on the evening.

“We look forward to welcoming back the ever loyal local supporters and ask that you please bring a friend.”