We are six months into this new Corona-dominated world here in Ireland. Like every other performer and Musical Director out there, I am sincerely missing my singing...... my choirs, being on the stage and performing myself, leading my singers, it really feels like distant memories. We all have gone either online or have taken a required hiatus. It's troubling to think that we honestly do not know when we will be 'back to normal' again. Music lessons thankfully have continued fairly successfully online, but choirs and stage performances, well, they're just not possible online really. Live performances are just not safe right now. Rehearsals are just not safe right now. And as much as technology is helpful, choirs simply can't function the way they need to using ZOOM. I truly miss the connection, the creative outlet, the music! (Gasp!) When will we hear an actual LIVE choir sing again.....it feels like it is forever out of reach (dramatic I know, but I don't think I'm the only one who feels that way)! Performers and Music Directors are at a loss as to what will happen next. Yes, we are creative minds, and we can adapt to some extent, but there simply is no substitute for that 'in-person' energy we Musical Directors get when we stand in front of our choirs and hear that harmony ring. so for now, we ZOOM and we imagine when we will be together making music again. The above pic is a snap from a few years back when I had the privilege to perform Faust in the Everyman Theatre. I remember feeling such a buzz from this number in particular scene- what an amazing cheer from the audience, what an amazing connection we all felt back to each other backstage (the same connection you feel with your choir when you perform together). I know we will get back to performing LIVE and IN-PERSON again someday..... for now, we must just make use of the technology we to have to hand (how lucky we are to still be able to share our music in some form) with each other and with the world. It is not the same, I know. Recording on your own and splicing audio over video, its not the same experience as being IN the choir. Recording yourself for the online world just is not the same as connecting ont he personal level to an audience and to each other, but it will have to do for now. So, my fellow performers, singers, and music-lovers, let's stay connected as best we can, and keep the music alive in whatever form it takes. Fill the internet with positivity and beauty. Happy Singing.
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Fancy Joining Forte Mixed Voice Choir? You're in Luck! We are currently seeking new members for the start of our 2017-2018 season! Choir rehearsals resume Wednesday, 20th September in Rockboro Primary School. Forte Mixed Voice Choir New singing season starts on September 20th 2017! Forte meets on Wednesdays from 7:45-9:15 in Cork City, just off the Boreenmanna Road, inside the main hall of Rockboro Primary School. Each year the group enjoys caroling in the holiday season, welcoming Christmas time with our annual Holiday Concert for charity. We have raised significant funds for Make-A-Wish Ireland and the Irish Cancer Society. A fun, upbeat group, Forte have enjoyed competing in Feis Mattiu and Cork Choral Fest, as well as performing in multiple events each year. We are a group of all ages and abilities and we invite anyone who loves to sing to come and join us in the fun each week! Forte actively rehearse once a week from September to December and from January to May. Choir dues are split into three easy payments so that everyone can join in the fun without putting too much pressure on the wallet! If you're interested in having a good time, singing with a great group of people, in a relaxed and casual atmosphere, then this is the group for you! Use a contact form to get in touch with us for details on how to join! Come along to our open night/first rehearsal of the new season on September 20th from 7:45-9:15pm. See you there! 🎵 JAVA Ladies' Chorus 🎵 Rehearsals are Thursdays from 7:30-9:30 in Carrigaline. If you're interested in joining a fast-paced, dynamic group of women who love to sing, have a good laugh, and perform frequently, please fill out a contact form for details on how you can get involved! You can also check out our FaceBook page and pm us to get in touch! All are welcome to inquire as we are actively seeking new members! 🎶 🎶See you at the 'Summer Sing' Concert! 🎤 Saturday @ 7:30 in Rockboro Primary School. 🎉 All proceeds from ticket sales and charity raffle will go directly to the Irish Cancer Society! Every cent will be donated to this great cause so come along and enjoy a night of great entertainment! 🎶 Featuring Forte Mixed Voice Choir, Java Ladies' Chorus, & Rockboro Singers plus a few special surprises! 😄 There is something very special about this school. Rockboro Primary School is a place where students can learn and grow at their own pace. Each teacher knows every single student by name, and every teacher cares deeply about the education of each child. Music is an important part of the curriculum here in Rockboro and as the Music teacher, I am privileged to educate these amazing little people every day! They say if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life.... I suppose I'm very lucky. I LOVE what I do. If you want your child to wake up everyday wanting to go to school and loving it, then Rockboro is the place to send them for an A+ education and experience! Have a look at the video below and you'll see for yourself a bit of the sparkle that makes Rockboro shine. Music Soundtrack 'Mischief' is Composed and Produced by Serena Standley Singing in a choir is not only fun, it's also beneficial for your health! Bishopstown Community School Adult Choir, conducted by yours truly, is a fantastic groups of people consisting of all ages and ability. We take our music seriously but we have tons of laughs along the way! This year we will be performing in our annual Christmas concert, caroling for charity, and getting ready for competing in the Feis and Cork Choral Competition in the spring. Singing in a choir is a fun way to explore your voice, express yourself and socialize with other adults who love music too! Take a little time out for yourself once a week and join us in a relaxed, positive environment! Sign-ups are going on now and you can find all the information to register by clicking the link below! http://www.bishopstown-cs.ie/pdf/brochuresutumn2016.pdf Check out one of our dress rehearsals from last year! Singing in a choir is not only fun, it's also beneficial for your health! Bishopstown Community School Adult Choir, conducted by yours truly, is a fantastic groups of people consisting of all ages and ability. We take our music seriously but we have tons of laughs along the way! This year we will be performing in our annual Christmas concert, caroling for charity, and getting ready for competing in the Feis and Cork Choral Competition in the spring. Singing in a choir is a fun way to explore your voice, express yourself and socialize with other adults who love music too! Take a little time out for yourself once a week and join us in a relaxed, positive environment! Sign-ups are going on now and you can find all the information to register by clicking the link below! http://www.bishopstown-cs.ie/pdf/brochuresutumn2016.pdf Check out one of our dress rehearsals from last year! Come along and enjoy a concert of fantastic choir music featuring the Bishopstown Community School Adult Choir, conducted by yours truly, & the Douglas Harmonia Singers, conducted by Lorna Moore, this Wednesday 20th May at 7:30pm in Bishopstown Community School. Proceeds will benefit Make-a-Wish Ireland, who make dreams come true for children with terminal illness. Music on the night will vary from classic musical selections to favorite pop songs! This will be a relaxed evening which will benefit an excellent cause! Tickets are available at the door or can be pre-booked by clicking the contact form here or by emailing Serena.standley@gmail.com €7 Adults/€6 Students & Seniors/€5 Under 12's A brilliant way to spend a Wednesday night! 🎶 An important reminder for all of my students & their parents- it's time to get practicing! Royal Irish Academy of Music Exams are coming up very soon for Voice & Piano students. Click the link below to take you to the practice track playlist which includes all of the essential practice tracks students will need to get ready for the upcoming summer RIAM exams. 🎶 Good Luck to all! 😄 http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu9j1rW6YwhIVs-sQj9NvDr-_2-0yPccd ![]() In September I will be starting a new job as the Music Teacher at Rockboro Primary School. I am so excited about this opportunity that came about just a few months ago. My good friend Claire Adams, the previous music teacher of Rockboro is commencing her journey of studying Music Therapy at University of Limerick, and put me forward to interview. I immediately felt a kinship with the principles and staff at the school. I received a phone call shortly after my interview welcoming me to the school! I enjoyed meeting many of my soon-to-be students at their end-of-the-year concert when Claire introduced me as the new music teacher. Many of the kiddos came up and introduced themselves, asking me questions and welcoming me to their school. I was really touched by their thoughtfulness for Claire, showering her with gifts on her last day of teaching, and I thought of how lucky I am to be stepping into a position that the students regard so highly. I hope that I can garner the respect and love that each of her students showed Claire that day of the performance. It was a beautiful thing to witness and the level of talent that the kids displayed both singing and playing piano, made me very excited to get to work with them, further helping to develop their talent. Claire has left me some big shoes to fill, but I feel up to the challenge and am so looking forward to September! (I'm lucky Claire and I have about the same size feet.....) ;-) Happy new year everyone! It's been a great start so far, welcoming both new and returning students back to lessons and choir in Mitchelstown School of Music where interest is so high in 2014 that I am now teaching there 3 days a week! This year is full of exciting performances and will be a year of growth for Bishopstown Community School's Adult Choir- if you are interested in joining please come along to the enrollment night at the Community School Weds Jan. 15th at 7pm where we will be performing some of our repertoire from last term as well as some things we have in the works for our upcoming spring concert! My Intermediate Singing Course will be offered in both Bishopstown & Ballincollig Community Schools as well as the return of the very popular (and previously booked out the past two-terms) Intro to Singing Course in Ballincollig which will all begin again at the end of the month. I will be performing in a wonderful Concert in the beautiful Maryborough House here in Cork on February 3rd at 3pm. The program will feature opera, musical theatre favorites, jazz piano, and more! Tickets are only €10! Pre-booking is essential as tickets are selling fast! Roll on 2014! :-) |
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