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.