Mullingar Choral Society delights audience with inspiring Spring concert at All Saints’ Church

The Mullingar Choral Society delivered a memorable evening of music at its Spring Concert on May 16 showcasing a diverse programme of sacred and classical works under the direction of renowned conductor Fintan Farrelly.

Speaking after the event, Society President Patrick Pilkington praised the enduring contribution of the choir to the cultural life of the county.

“Westmeath can be rightly proud of its contribution to the arts, not least through the dedication and hard work of the Mullingar Choral Society in presenting excellent programmes of music,” he said.

Mr Pilkington paid tribute to Mr Farrelly, who served for many years as the Society’s accompanist before taking on the role of Musical Director in 2022, following a brief break. A native of Longford, Mr Farrelly also serves as Director of Music at St Mel’s Cathedral, leads the County Choir, and is Musical Director of St Mel’s Musical Society.

Known for creating imaginative concert programmes, Mr Farrelly chose a unique theme for this year’s Spring Concert by pairing two contrasting “little masses.” The first, Joseph Haydn’s Little Organ Mass, was originally composed in 1775 for the chapel of Prince Anton Esterházy in Eisenstadt. Mr Pilkington noted the personal significance of the piece, recalling that it had been performed at his own wedding in a small Norman church in England in 1990.

The second featured work was the lively Little Jazz Mass by contemporary British composer Bob Chilcott, written in 2004. Together, the two compositions highlighted the rich diversity of sacred choral music across more than two centuries.

The concert opened with Felix Mendelssohn’s beloved anthem Hear My Prayer, featuring the celebrated aria “O for the Wings of a Dove”. Soloist Joanna Fagan, a Mullingar native, captivated the audience with her performance and later returned to sing Haydn’s beautiful Benedictus, accompanied on organ by Charles Marshall.

The programme concluded with Gabriel Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine, a work composed when the French composer was just 19 years old. Written for a competition, the piece earned Fauré first prize and remains one of his most cherished compositions.

This year’s concert took place in All Saints’ Church, returning to a venue that last hosted the Society some 25 years ago. Mr Pilkington thanked Rector Rev Ian Horner for the invitation, noting that the church’s newly reconfigured interior, comfortable seating and gallery created an intimate atmosphere with excellent acoustics.

Looking ahead, Mr Pilkington expressed his delight that Mr Farrelly has agreed to continue as Musical Director next season. The Society’s next performance is its traditional Christmas concert in the Cathedral of Christ the King December, with the permission of Bishop Tom Deenihan.

He also acknowledged the contribution of Stephen Cummins and John Reilly, past Presidents of the Choir, in making the choir what it is today.