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Members of Kerry Concert Choir, rehearsing for their first Christmas concert – ‘Carols from the Cathedral’ with Choral Director, Dr Sharon Lyons, (Centre). Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
KICKING off the Christmas season, Kerry Scotia Ensemble and members of the Kerry Concert Choir and St Mary’s Cathedral Choir are busy rehearsing for their concert “Carols from the Cathedral”, which takes place this Sunday, December 4, in St Mary’s Cathedral Killarney.
Directed by Dr Sharon Lyons, the concert will be in aid of Down Syndrome Kerry and will bring together the talents from multiple Kerry performers for what promises to be a very special event.
Down Syndrome Kerry is a parent led voluntary organisation with a membership of over 230 families spread through County Kerry and into parts of Cork and Limerick.
Dr Sharon Lyons (back right) with members of Kerry Scotia Ensemble, Stephen O’Halloran, Dovile Baltoniene and Lucy White. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
Their goals are to provide vital therapies and services to supplement often inadequate state provision and to help people with Down syndrome make their own futures as bright and independent as possible by providing them with education support and friendship.
Kerry Concert Choir was set up under the direction of Sharon earlier this year and will join Sharon’s other choir from St Mary’s Cathedral, accompanied by Kerry Scotia Ensemble to sing beloved Christmas favourites arranged for choir and orchestra like Adeste Fideles, Silent Night, In the Bleak Midwinter, O Holy Night, Hark the Herald and many more.
Many of the arrangements for this concert were specially commissioned for the concert by Kerry Scotia Ensemble from composer Richard Rudkins.
Kerry Scotia Ensemble is Kerry’s only professional string orchestra and was set up in 2016 with the assistance of an Arts Act Grant from Kerry County Council.
The orchestra has received multiple awards of local and national grants and is a solid fixture of the classical music scene in Kerry having partnered with multiple performers across a range of genres over the years.
The Director of this concert, Dr Sharon Lyons, is an internationally renowned and award winning soprano has performed on national and international stages as both a soloist and ensemble member.
Performances also include appearances at the NCH, on national television, on many RTÉ religious affairs programmes, singing for Pope Francis, for state events such as the annual 1916 Remembrance Service and funeral of former President Patrick Hillery.
Sharon will be joined as a soloist in the concert by the incredible countertenor Nils Wanderer who was recently the Second Prize Winner of the world’s most prestigious opera competition “Operalia” in 2022 of which he was the only Countertenor.
Tickets for the concert cost €20 and are available on the door or from Eventbrite with special discounts available for group purchases of 4 or more. Click here to buy tickets.
All profits from ticket sales and all proceeds from the raffle will be donated to Down Syndrome Kerry so please show your support and start your Christmas by coming to this special holiday gala concert.
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