NUI Galway’s Alumni Ensemble Choir has been crowned Chamber Choir of the Year after blowing listeners away at the recent Cork International Choral Festival.
The Alumni choir was brought together by NUI Galway Peter Mannion in 2013 from among other alums, many of whom had gotten to know each other in the university’s Choral Society while studying there.
They meet up in Galway during the year to reconnect and rehearse new music for public performance.
Founded in 1954 the Cork International Choral Festival takes place over the five days with gala concerts, schools concerts, national and international competitions, workshops and free outdoor performances.
The NUIG choir’s winning repertoire at the Cork Festival included contemporary Estonian composer, Arvo Pärt, and Renaissance Italian composer, Claudio Monteverdi.
Peter Mannion said that this choir has been a great way to keep in touch with old friends and “share our passion for singing”.
“Chamber choirs are small by nature and it takes time and care to make sure that each of our voices blend together while maintaining their expressive quality.”
He added that it was an amazing experience to represent the university in winning this award.
The 2019 Cork Choral Festival took place from May 1 – 5 with concerts and competitions in venues around Cork city such as St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Anne, and Cork City Hall.
As well as competing in the National Chamber Choir competition they performed a lunchtime concert for the public in the Methodist church in Kinsale.
