07/07/2013
John Anderson goes behind the scenes to meet the people and the singers who give Northern Ireland its great choral tradition and worldwide reputation.
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This week John features...
Voices Together
ÌýVoices Together is an inclusive community choir drawing together members of different ages and backgrounds. Our diverse membership finds expression in a love of music from many times, places and traditions: world folk songs, spirituals, classical music and original compositions by group members. Existing in its current form since 2011, Voices Together has over 60 members. It is directed by Dave Stewart who has over 20 years’ experience leading community choral groups with a passion for maximising people’s enthusiasm and skill for singing. Voices Together is a project-based choir, meeting to prepare for specific events which over the last two years have included concerts for world development charities, liturgical events, a concert tour of Limerick and a peace-building event with Tommy Sands and Willie Drennan.
Voices Together: Promoting the diversity in music and the music in diversity!
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The Open Arts Community Choir
(OACC) is an award winning, dynamic, inclusive choir based in Belfast. They demonstrate how people from different cultural backgrounds, with and without disabilities, come together through the medium of song to be positive ambassadors for Northern Ireland.ÌýÌýÌý
The OACC was formed in September 2000, with funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. In 2008 they reached the final stages of the Â鶹Éç’s "Last Choir Standing" competition, and in 2010 they were finalists in RTÉ's "An Cór" Irish language choral competition.Ìý Since then, the OACC has been inundated with requests to perform at high profile events all over the UK and Ireland, and in August 2012 they made their American debut at the Milwaukee Irish Fest.Ìý
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The choir has collaborated with many artists, composers, and ensembles in the past, including Brian Irvine, The Ulster Orchestra, Ian Wilson, Katie and the Carnival, Nigel Wright, NI Soul Troop, Festival Brass, Julie Feeney, The Beat Carnival, Christie Hennessy’s band, Iain McCurdy, and the Opera Theatre Company.
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The OACC performs songs in a wide variety of musical styles including classical, pop, jazz, gospel, folk and world music, and has recorded 3 albums to date.Ìý They have been widely successful in choral festivals throughout the UK, winning no less than 7 awards in the 2012 Bangor International Choral Festival, including 3 firsts and the overall top prize.
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They have recently been selected to compete in the International Musical Eisteddfod, Wales, where they will be up against choirs from all over the world, competing at the highest level (10-14 July 2013).
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Also in the programme...
Down By The Riverside Ìý(Trad arr Saundra Berry Musser)
Waringstown Primary School
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The Irish Blessing (Stopford)
The Junior Choir of Methodist College
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Chariot’s Comin’ (trad arr Besig, Price)
Bangor Ladies Choir
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Broadcasts
- Sun 7 Jul 2013 16:30Â鶹Éç Radio Ulster
- Tue 9 Jul 2013 19:30Â鶹Éç Radio Ulster & Â鶹Éç Radio Foyle