Community Choir hosting fundraising concert for Hospice

The Kiltoom-based St. Brigid’s Community Choir will host a musical extravaganza this Saturday, April 20th at the local GAA club with all proceeds in aid of Mayo/Roscommon Hospice.

The event on Saturday is a particularly proud occasion for the choir as it marks the first time that it will host a concert at the club’s venue, the St. Brigid’s GAA Centre.

The night of entertainment will comprise St. Brigid's Community Choir, the Mayo Male Voice Choir, Brideswell National School Choir, along with some great Irish dancing being provided by the Conway Dance Academy.

The St. Brigid's Community Choir, comprising a group of men and women from Kiltoom and surrounding areas, said it is delighted to host this concert for such a worthy charity.

The Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Foundation funds palliative care services for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. As a result of the generosity of donors and supporters, there is a free seven-day palliative care home care service in both counties. This service provides comfort and dignity to patients throughout their end-of-life journey.

In February 2023, a state-of-the-art eight bed Hospice, located adjacent to Roscommon Hospital, opened its doors to patients. The cost of purchasing the site and construction was just over €6m, all coming from fundraised income. The facility provides day care and community care, and provides respite and end of life services free of charge to all who need it.

St. Brigid's Community Choir, with an approximate active membership of 50 people, has been a huge success since it was established in 2013, and it is pretty unique given that it is one of the few choirs linked with a GAA club. It was also decided from the outset that the choir would not be audition-based – it welcomes all-comers.

Led by chairperson Des Shine, the choir provides all interested members of the community with a social outlet and an opportunity to pursue their interest in singing. It was also in recognition of the well-established psychological benefits of group singing.

The choir was made up initially of St. Brigid’s GAA club members, but over time new members have joined, both young and old, from Athlone and surrounding areas – hence the reference to it being a community choir.

There is a really good social aspect to the choir, with a clear sense of camaraderie among the members. Moreover, the challenge of performing in public provides an incentive to take practice seriously and, of course, there is the associated pride and satisfaction in raising funds for local charities.

The choir pays a monthly subscription that covers the cost of its musical director, Andrius Kozlovskis, who is originally from Lithuania. The choir’s commitment and sense of enjoyment has to be attributed, in large part, to his inspirational leadership.

The choir is looking forward to a large attendance at the fundraising concert, and is guaranteeing a great night of entertainment.

Saturday’s concert gets underway at 8 p.m.. Admission is €12 for adults, and €10 for children and OAPs. For further confirmation, contact Patricia, 086 3104411.