Wicklow Male Voice Choir recently travelled to twin town Montigny, in France to represent the choir, Wicklow Town and County Wicklow during the Montigny spring Festival. This follows in a long WMVC representative tradition as the choir has already represented Wicklow Town in Eichenzell in Germany and Portmadog in Wales, and has also represented Arklow during twinning celebrations in Chateaux Dunn in France. The choir strives to be the best ambassadors possible for county Wicklow.

This tour was no exception and the choir performed to enthusiastic audiences in no less that four separate performances! The choir was delighted to participate in an informal welcome evening with the Montigny Twinning committee and the local French Chorale IV Vents mixed choir. Both choirs performed in a fun and light atmosphere and after enjoying the excellent Montigny hospitality both choirs joined for a fun “sing off” that everybody enjoyed. Noel Geraghty, Pat Sherlock, Joe McGettigan and MD Tony Norton led the way for Wicklow.

WMVC were honoured guests at the opening of the Montigny “Prairiale” spring fair where the official ceremonies were concluded with performances of the WMVC and The Chorale IV Vents.

The main event of the tour was the Saturday evening concert in aid of the local Guide Dogs For The Blind association. Again, the choir performed with The Chorale IV Vents in concert to over 500 delighted audience members. Both choirs performed separately but also performed together for rousing renditions of the Congolese “Banaha” and Russian “Kalinka”. After official presentations, the concert was closed off with the national anthems. The events of the evening continued however with a large number of the Montigny Twinning committee and The Chorale IV Vents joining the members of the WMVC for an unofficial concert in a local pub. A great time was had by all with promises to visit and return made throughout the evening.

WMVC was invited to help celebrate Mass in the beautiful Church of St Martin on Sunday morning and despite some lack of sleep, the members again represented Wicklow superbly with excellent performances of very contrasting pieces in “The Lord Bless You And Keep You”, “Jesu Joy Of Man’s Desiring”, “Ag Críost An Síol” and “Goin Up A Yonder”.

The tour finished off with WMVC being guests of Montigny Twinning committee on a tour of Paris taking in the sights of the Eiffel Tour, Arc De Triomphe, The Champs Elysee and much more. The highlight was a “bateau Mouche”, flying boat tour of Paris from the Seine finishing off with a trip to Notre Dame. A fabulous finish to a fabulous weekend.

Wicklow Male Voice Choir is on the move again!!

Well, we will be in April 2018!!

The choir is planning a visit to our “twin” – Montigny, France – for the Priariale festival where the choir will represent Wicklow in at least three (official) singing events – one of which will be a major fund raiser for the local Lions Club plus a number of unofficial events. There will also be a joint Irish/Franco event where the choir will share the stage with local highly acclaimed Chorale Quatre Vents.

In addition to official duties, the choir hope to make plenty of friends, do some “fringe” singing and all this while taking in a visit to the Palace of Versaille and seeing Paris from the Seine!!

It promises to be a busy weekend!!!

It is great being a member of Wicklow Male Voice Choir and if you would like to be involved just contact any member or a member of the committee for details.

Wicklow Male Voice Choir is pleased to announce that our next concert in Wicklow will be held in the Grand Hotel at 8:00pm on Sunday 10/12/2017.

This promises to be a special event, presented as it will be for the first time by our new Musical Director Tony Norton (http://anthonynortontenor.com/about/) accompanied on piano by David Wray http://www.theirishcollegeofmusictheatre.com/davidwray.php with guest soprano Sandra Oman http://www.sandraoman.com/biography-1/

The members of Wicklow MVC are delighted to bring this line up of internationally recognised and lauded talent to Wicklow to help “kick start” the Christmas Season!

Tickets @ €15 can be purchased from The Grand Hotel or Earls News Agents, Wicklow and from any member of the choir.

This concert will be different!

 

Wicklow Male Voice Choir is on the move again!! After our most recent win in Castlebar, the choir is participating in the Sligo International Choral Festival on the weekend of 17/11/2017 to 19/11/2017.

This is a new departure for the choir because, for the first time ever, the choir will participate in two competitions – mixed voice and male voice. These will be tough competitions and we know in advance that we will be up against 16 other choirs so to the competition will be stiff. However, the choir has worked hard over recent months and we head to Sligo with enthusiasm and confidence.

Whatever the outcome, the trip will be massive fun as usual and we expect to participate fully in the “fringe” events!

On Sunday 19/11/2017, the choir will participate in 1:00pm mass in St Mel’s Cathedral Longford.

The choir will be performing with Musical Director, Anthony Norton and a number of other choirs at the “Celebration Of Song” in McCreddin Village at 8:00pm on Sunday 11th June 2017.

 

 

Sunday 28th May 2017, Ballina, Mayo.

After the competition of the 27th Of May, the members of WMVC were delighted to be asked to participate in the liturgy of Sunday Mass at St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina.

This was a beautiful mass, in a lovely cathedral and the choir sang a number of songs including “The Lost Chord”, “Ave Maria”, “The Lord Bless You & Keep you” and “Goin’ Up A Yonder”. The choir also assisted the cantor through the mass.

All the members of the choir thoroughly enjoyed the experience and the choir intends to do more local events when travelling. It was a hit with the congretation also and one parishoner recounted how he had been baptised in the cathedral in 1944 and it was the most “memorable experience” he had there since!!

Below, the choir is pictured with Musical Director, Anthony Norton, after the mass.

 

 

Saturday 27th May 2017, WMVC travelled to Castlebar to Compete in the Male Voices section of the Mayo International Choral Festival. The competition was very strong this year with excellent performances from both the Mayo Male Voice Choir and the Cavan Male Voice Choir.

This was the first competition for WMVC under new Musical Director Anthony Norton and the choir rose to the challenge put down by the other choirs by performing to the very highest standard. A fitting reward for the hard work done by the choir and MD.

The two contrasting songs performed were “Softly As I Leave You” and the rousing “Soldiers Chorus”. The performance earned very high praise from the adjudicators and WMVC were awarded first prize.

After the competition, the choir was invited to perform at the Annual Peace Ceremony to commerorate the Irish men and women that gave their lifes in the cause of peace while on duty for both the Irish and foreign military services. The ceremony was closed by WMVC singing Amhrán na Bhfinn.

 

Wicklow Male Voice Choir performed a concert recently for the residents and staff of St. Coleman’s Hospital, Rathdrum.

It was a real pleasure for the choir to perform and the choir was warmly received by all who attended.

Below, the choir with Musical Director Anthony Norton.

Wicklow Male Voice Choir is delighted to announce the appointment of Tenor, Musician and Music Teacher, Antony Norton as Musical Director.

Tony is one of Ireland’s most accomplished and versatile lyric tenors. As a solo artist and as one of the internationally acclaimed Three Irish Tenors he has toured America, Canada, Europe and as far afield as India, Taiwan, Japan and the Caribbean. He studied singing, piano, ‘cello and conducting at Trinity college of Music London before embarking on a career as a singer. He began his career with The Scottish Opera before moving to Teatro La Scala Di Milano, where he was resident for a number of years. His work as a soloist in opera, concert, oratorio and musical theatre has seen him perform in venues from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden to Carnegie Hall and Broadway. At home in Ireland he has performed with every major orchestra and ensemble, including RTE Symphony and Concert Orchestras, Opera Ireland, Wexford Festival Opera and numerous concert appearances with some of Ireland’s leading chamber musicians. Further to the operatic and classical repertoires his ensemble Passion has notable success performing songs from French Cabaret, Tango and popular songs from Spain, Italy and South America. For more information on Tony, see http://anthonynortontenor.com/about/

As you can see, Tony brings years of performing and teaching experience to the role and we are eagerly anticipating the new songs and direction that he will bring to the choir.

In Bernard Geary, Tony has a tough act to follow and we wish him every success.