Choral scholarships and choristerships; New Irish events – Belfast to Bray; RSCM Come And Sing Fauré Requiem; Organist appointments; Let It Be Known – the new album from Worship Central
Choral scholarships and choristerships at St Mary’s Cathedral, Limerick
Two choral scholarship places are currently available in the cathedral choir. Valued at up to 600 euro per year, these scholarships also include a contribution to the cost of vocal/music tuition. Prospective scholars (usual age range 15-21) are encouraged to apply for an audition with Peter Barley (Organist and Choir Director). He is particularly looking for young tenors and basses in the Limerick area who might be interested in developing their singing skills and singing in a cathedral choir.
Choristerships for school-aged children are also currently available – termly pocket money allowance, contribution to music fees and free tuition in the RSCM Voice for Life scheme is included. Parents/students should also apply to the Organist and Choir Director. peterandrewbarley@gmail.com or 087 673 8631
New Irish events
Jonathan Rea has been ill in hospital over the past couple of weeks with pancreatitis. He had surgery yesterday to have his gallbladder removed. We understand this went well and Jonathan is now on the road to recovery. Please pray for Jonathan and his family at this time. The New Irish programme is still going ahead as planned, and more details on our three concerts in February can be found below – we’d love to see you at one of them! For now, all New Irish communication should go through our Administrator, Clara Johnston as we give Jonathan some space to recuperate. Please email clara@newirisharts.com if you have any New Irish related queries.
Saturday 9th February 2013, 7:30PM – Craigavon Civic Centre
Concert with New Irish Chamber Choir & players from New Irish Orchestra.
This event is being hosted by the Mayor of Craigavon, Cllr. Carla Lockhart and the evening will include an opportunity to donate to her chosen charity, Tiny Life.
Tickets priced £10 are available by calling 028 38 312421
Saturday 16th February 2013, 7:30PM – Grand Opera House, Belfast
Robin Mark in concert with New Irish Orchestra, with support from Eilidh Patterson and Ruth Trimble.
We’re delighted to be joining with Robin and his band in the Grand Opera House, Belfast for a very special night of music. Why not head into the city for dinner and then on to the Opera House? Book your tickets now at www.goh.co.uk or phone 028 9024 1919
Saturday 23rd February 2013, 7:30PM – Christchurch, Bray
Narnia Festival with members of New Irish Arts.
We’re excited to be putting on an event in Bray as part of a larger Narnia Festival being organised by the folk at Christchurch. If you live in the area, or even if you don’t – why not head along to this event!
Further details are available by emailing christchurchbray@gmail.com
RSCM Come And Sing Fauré Requiem
A great opportunity to meet other enthusiastic singers from all around Ireland and benefit from expert direction from Andrew Reid, the new director of the RSCM on Saturday 23 February 2013 in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast
11.30am–12noon arrive, tea & coffee will be available
12noon–1pm rehearsal
1pm–2pm lunch (provided)
2pm–3.30pm rehearsal
4pm–5pm performance
For Further details or to book a place, please contact:
Emma Gibbins
c/o St George’s Parish Church
High Street
Belfast, BT1 2AG
Tel: 07952 514117 / e–mail: emma.gibbins@rscmireland.com
Ross Morrow appointed organist of Hillsborough Parish
Hillsborough man Ross Morrow, formerly organist of Drumbeg Parish Church (1997–2012), has been appointed Organist and Musical Director of the Parish Church of St Malachy, Hillsborough. He succeeds Julie Bell, who was appointed in April 2008 and left last September to train for the ordained ministry. Speaking of his appointment, Ross, who has been interim organist at Hillsborough Parish Church for the past eight months said, “I am really proud to be appointed organist of Hillsborough Parish Church. It has a fine history of Choral singing and I look forward to carrying on that wonderful legacy.”
Organist/Director of Music: St. Mark’s Parish Church, Armagh
The Rector and Select Vestry are keen to appoint an Organist/Director of Music to develop the worship in St. Mark’s using both traditional and contemporary music.
We have a small but supportive RSCM registered choir which is keen to be built up.
Services are from the Book of Common Prayer 2004 including Services of the Word.
Sunday services at 10.30am and 7.00pm
If interested, and for further details, please contact the Rector:
Canon John McKegney
St. Mark’s Rectory
14 Portadown Road
Armagh
BT61 9EE
Rectory: 028 37522970
Email: Rector
www.stmarks.armagh.anglican.org
No official closing date has been specified for this position.
Let It Be Known – the new album from Worship Central
Let it be known that Worship Central could have done things so very differently. There could have been more tours, bigger pushes for chart success and louder calls from the front to get out there and buy the album. There could even have been franchises.
But none of that is much use when it comes to building community. None of that fits with the plan of seeing local churches inspired, empowered and equipped to worship.
As they draw closer to the release of their second live album – Let It Be Known – Worship Central have something to say. They want to talk about something that happened a couple of years ago:
“We decided to collaborate much more with our songwriting, spending more time writing together,” explains Tim Hughes. “These songs are the fruit of that passion.”
These are not the words of someone interested in selling franchises. These are the words of someone who appreciates the value of team, of time well spent and of the need for church to be far service-oriented not performance-driven. And you can hear all that in the songs as well, from the intercession of The Constant, the rawest cries of Hallelujah to the outward-focus of the title track.
“I’ve been struck by the fact that songs which are about the cross often bring such power to the services,” says Tim.
“They are the ones which often seem to lead to breakthrough. I was at an event in Manchester recently and had an image in my mind of a burning cross which sucked off and burned up chains and addictions from the people standing around it. It lead to the song The Cross Burns, and it’s a reminder that the power of these songs that we play is only ever found in God.
“Then there’s the song Our Generation. So many times I look out at our youth and students and I see so much potential for God to use them. But they lack confidence to see. We’re desperate for God to turn things around – He’s the only one that can.”
Recorded live in London last autumn, Let It Be Known is not just the result of a growing UK team, but comes after a period of significant international growth. There are now Worship Central hubs in Honk Kong, the Netherlands, Singapore, Malaysia and South Africa – each of them devoted to empowering, equipping and releasing others to strengthen their own church’s worship life.
This spring will see a debut tour of South Africa, an eight-date UK tour plus much more – all to the soundtrack of local churches singing louder and longer than ever.
The full album will be released on March 11. It will also be available as an LP on iTunes including exclusive content – videos, loop tracks and tutorials.