MUSIC REVUE

Services and events

On Friday evening 10th September at 8pm the Friends of St Doulagh's Church, Malahide Road, Balgriffen, will present a Musical Evening with the Dublin Conservative Club Male Voice Choir in aid of the maintenance of what is believed to be the oldest stone roofed church in Ireland.

Presentations to Down, Dromore and Connor Organ Scholars will be made by the Bishop of Connor at their annual Evensong in Belfast Cathedral on Sunday 19th. September at 3.30. The Choir of St Molua’s, Stormont directed by Robert Thompson will sing. Cantor will be the rector of St Molua’s and former Vicar Choral at St Anne’s, Rev David Humphries. The preacher will be the Dean. The Organ Scholars’ training programme is organised by a committee chaired by Canon Gregory Dunstan. 

For lovers of Brass, Sydenham Salvation Army Band is presenting a concert on Friday 24th. September at 8.00 pm, with Festival Brass, conductor Alan Corry, and Peter Corry in Glenmachan Church of God, Belfast. Donation tickets are £12 - available from Belfast Music Supplies and Matchett’s Music.

Last weekend the choir of St Andrew's Church, Malahide, directed by Rodney Baldwin, sang the services in Chester Cathedral. In Dublin the choir of Christ Church Cathedral made a welcome return after the summer recess. 

The 2010 Stanford Festival Takes Place In Dublin from 15th To 17th October

Highlights include an organ and choral concert in St Stephen's Church on Friday; an orchestral concert, choral evensong  and lectures in Christ Church Cathedral on the Saturday;  Choral Eucarist and Evensong and a lecture accompanied by Finghlin Collins in St Patricks Cathedral and Deanery on the Sunday. All are welcome to the services and concerts.

Church and cathedral organists and choirs could consider singing a Stanford piece that Sunday to remember the contribution to Anglican worship of  a remarkable musician born in Dublin.

Full details on www.thestanfordsociety.org

Cathedral organist honoured

Peter Barley the former Organist and Master of Choristers at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin has been honoured by the Chapter with the conferring of the title Organist Emeritus. The Precentor, Canon Robert Reed stated how grateful the Cathedral was for his musical competence in setting the highest standards; his commitment to building up the numbers; his gentlemanly nature and true love of his work. He said, “From my perspective, Peter, not only were your musical skills admired, but the example you set from the meaning and strength of your Christian faith. Although you have been gone for several months, you are still very much missed by boys and parents.” He then presented Peter with a gift from the Board.

The Precentor then announced that the Chapter’s gift to Peter was to appoint him Organist Emeritus, to assure him that he would always be welcome and that the title may enhance his career and strengthen the bond they shared. Peter expressed his desire to assist St Patrick’s in whatever way possible, and he also requested that the monetary gift from the Chapter be donated to the Choir’s tour fund.

The Girls’ Choir of St Patrick’s, founded ten years ago, travelled to St David’s Cathedral in Wales where they sang the services and strengthen the bond between the two cathedrals. 

From September issue of Close News.

Please send notice of choral and musical events and services to:

irishchurchrevue@gmail.com