How sweet it is: Choir bring Christmas cheer to Atrium at council buildings

Sweet Tunes Active Retired Choir hosted a free and informal Christmas sing-along in The Atrium of Westmeath County Council on Wednesday last, December 17.

The musical collective engage in a number of recitals at this time of year: “Sweet Tunes Active Retired Choir have been together now for 13 years, so holiday season is probably our busiest. We would sing at the opening of an envelope, to be honest with you,” choir director Angie Lynch joked.

“Last Sunday we had four consecutive gigs uptown. So we just come out, sing, add a little bit of joy and uplift people’s hearts. We’re all of a certain age and we’re delighted to be able to get out and about and sing,” Angie told the Examiner.

From humble beginnings of eight, the choir has grown to boast a sizable membership. Nowadays they have a strong mixed voice ensemble singing in three parts. Around 35 of the company gathered in the council atrium for the performance: “We have 75 people on our register, but it is the season of colds and flus and whatever.

“Some of the older members just don’t like to be out in crowds. So when I arrive, whoever’s in front of me, that’s who sings. We don’t worry too much about it,” Angie said.

The group performed three medleys, starting off with Christmas on Broadway. Most of the choir are of retirement age and have found that life is like wine – it improves with age and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Sweet Tunes Choir meet as a full choir once a week for a two-hour session, and each group also have sectional rehearsals once a week for an hour duration. The council gig was their last outing before the new year.