On Thursday night in Ballygarry House Hotel there was a special celebration for all associated with Presentation Secondary School Castleisland as the school saw a dream realised when its choir launched its first CD.
Path to Special Event
Principal Katherina Broderick, began proceedings by outlining the path to the special event for the large audience gathered.
In just under five years the school has established a choir with a current membership of 65 students under the direction of the school’s music and religious education teacher and accomplished choir director Ailish O’Connor.
Engaging Speaker
Also present to officially launch the CD was Veronica McCarron, famous for her leadership of choirs and also a renowned engaging speaker.
Having delivered a number of workshops in the school, Veronica was generous in her praise of the Castleisland Presentation Choir.
She reminded all present of the value of participating in a choir, the value of group singing and using one’s voice to spread happiness in the world today.
Oaks from Acorns
Another inspiring speaker who attended the evening was Tony Griffin from the SOAR foundation. Last year at the school awards evening, Tony heard the school choir perform their rendition of This Is Me and he suggested recording it for The SOAR Foundation website.
Mighty oaks from little acorns grow and this sowed the seeds for compilation of a full CD in the last academic year.
This the choir recorded with Tony Flaherty of Sonas Studios supported by Ms O’Connor and Brid Mills.
Illustrious Company
This choir has performed in illustrious company in the past few years:
They performed alongside the Castleisland Parish Choir for Pope Francis in The Phoenix Park in August 2018 and with the Welsh Male Choir in Castleisland last May.
They were invited to perform with the famous Philip Myers in Hotel Europe in June 2018. Sean Tracey supported the choir at this event also.
Talent Line-Up
The choir also perform at local events on request and pay an annual visit to the Palliative Care Unit in Tralee and to Castleisland Day Care Centre.
The line-up of talent which performed with the school choir on the evening was a credit to the esteem in which the choir is held.
Fantastic Night’s Entertainment
Special guests who performed on the night to mark this unique occasion included: Noirin Ni Rian, Nicky and Ann McAuliffe, Con Moynihan, Joan Brosnan, Aisling Teahan, the Killorglin Men’s Social Club Choir, the Castleisland Parish Choir and Bellacanto.
The large crowd who gathered to celebrate with the school choir certainly were treated to a fantastic night’s entertainment.
The school’s business teacher, Pierce Dargan acted as MC for the evening.
