COMMUNITY YOUTH CHOIR HAILED 'SENSATIONAL' DURING AMERICAN TOUR
Community Youth Choir hailed 'sensational' during American tour
"THEY are kids, whose ages come through in unsuppressed grins during their songs but as symbols of the potential for a better world they are much more than this wrote Kevin M. Williams, a journalist with the Chicago Sun Times, after a performance by the Omagh Community Youth Choir.
'Sensational' and 'sublime' were terms also employed to describe the singing of the local group who visited Chicago and Milwaukee for two weeks during the summer.
The cross-community entourage left Omagh on July 14, and embarked on a busy tour schedule, which saw them perform in front of large audiences, across the cities of Chicago and Milwaukee.
The choir had aims to promote peace and reconciliation through a musical production aptly named "Across The Bridge", and it received standing ovations wherever they travelled.
Audiences included the Mayor of Chicago, Richard M. Daly and his City Council, British and Irish diplomatic staff, sport stars from the Derby County and Chicago Fire soccer clubs and most importantly ordinary people on the streets of both Chicago and Milwaukee who witnessed ad. lib performances on buses, in parks and in supermarkets.
Other venues included Soldier Field Stadium (home to The Chicago Bears), The Chicago Music Mart, The Irish American Heritage Centre, Gaelic Park, "Great America Park", and local landmarks Fado's, Cullen's, The Martyrs To Music Club and The Abbey.
Leaders and choir members alike have numerous accounts of wonderful experiences from the trip.
Daryl Simpson (conductor) enthused: "Yes, it was definitely the trip of a lifetime which united the choir into a 34-strong musical family, and we are forever, indebted to those people across the Atlantic who assisted in making the tour an unforgettable one. Josephine Gallagher-Coleman (who along with Stanley McCombe and her brother, Michael Gallagher, initiated the fundraising efforts earlier in the year) worked tirelessly day and night, along with her band of wonderful helpers, to ensure our every need was met. We will always remember their generous hospitality and friendship. Josephine was also the chief organiser of fund-raising in Chicago and it is thanks to her that the cheque for $74,000 dollars was presented to help victims of last year's atrocity."
Musical director, Declan McKeever continued: "People enjoyed our performances not just because of the inspirational, quality singing and music-making, but also because of the positive message we brought and the accessible manner through which we delivered it. People literally begged us to stay for another few weeks, but unfortunately the money was running low and there's only so much busking you can do!"
Mike Reynolds (treasurer and tour organiser) said: "If it weren't for the support of our parents committee, Omagh District Council and people from the community here in Omagh, the trip wouldn't have got off the ground. Between us, sufficient funds had to be raised to finance flights, accommodation and food for all 34 for two weeks. By no means was it an easy task, but eventually we met our targets, and we feel proud in achieving what we had set out to do and also complete a successful tour programme."
Indeed Mike, his wife Colette, Daryl, Declan, Diane Miller (choreographer), and Michelle Sheridan (guest performer) and all the young people in the choir must be congratulated on the success of their tour during which they exhibited the positive side of Omagh, and spread the message of
peace and reconciliation.
The musical and artistic talents of our youth are an invaluable resource and this tour was an excellent example of how, when given the opportunity, they can perform admirably anywhere in the world to critical acclaim.
Since their return, auditions have been held and a new, bigger choir has been appointed, who next week will embark on yet another busy programme of performances under , the direction of Daryl Simpson and Geraldine Madden.
They are set to perform in many functions and concerts across the country, and, if a suitable venue is located, a performance in Omagh too.
"THEY are kids, whose ages come through in unsuppressed grins during their songs but as symbols of the potential for a better world they are much more than this wrote Kevin M. Williams, a journalist with the Chicago Sun Times, after a performance by the Omagh Community Youth Choir.
'Sensational' and 'sublime' were terms also employed to describe the singing of the local group who visited Chicago and Milwaukee for two weeks during the summer.
The cross-community entourage left Omagh on July 14, and embarked on a busy tour schedule, which saw them perform in front of large audiences, across the cities of Chicago and Milwaukee.
The choir had aims to promote peace and reconciliation through a musical production aptly named "Across The Bridge", and it received standing ovations wherever they travelled.
Audiences included the Mayor of Chicago, Richard M. Daly and his City Council, British and Irish diplomatic staff, sport stars from the Derby County and Chicago Fire soccer clubs and most importantly ordinary people on the streets of both Chicago and Milwaukee who witnessed ad. lib performances on buses, in parks and in supermarkets.
Other venues included Soldier Field Stadium (home to The Chicago Bears), The Chicago Music Mart, The Irish American Heritage Centre, Gaelic Park, "Great America Park", and local landmarks Fado's, Cullen's, The Martyrs To Music Club and The Abbey.
Leaders and choir members alike have numerous accounts of wonderful experiences from the trip.
Daryl Simpson (conductor) enthused: "Yes, it was definitely the trip of a lifetime which united the choir into a 34-strong musical family, and we are forever, indebted to those people across the Atlantic who assisted in making the tour an unforgettable one. Josephine Gallagher-Coleman (who along with Stanley McCombe and her brother, Michael Gallagher, initiated the fundraising efforts earlier in the year) worked tirelessly day and night, along with her band of wonderful helpers, to ensure our every need was met. We will always remember their generous hospitality and friendship. Josephine was also the chief organiser of fund-raising in Chicago and it is thanks to her that the cheque for $74,000 dollars was presented to help victims of last year's atrocity."
Musical director, Declan McKeever continued: "People enjoyed our performances not just because of the inspirational, quality singing and music-making, but also because of the positive message we brought and the accessible manner through which we delivered it. People literally begged us to stay for another few weeks, but unfortunately the money was running low and there's only so much busking you can do!"
Mike Reynolds (treasurer and tour organiser) said: "If it weren't for the support of our parents committee, Omagh District Council and people from the community here in Omagh, the trip wouldn't have got off the ground. Between us, sufficient funds had to be raised to finance flights, accommodation and food for all 34 for two weeks. By no means was it an easy task, but eventually we met our targets, and we feel proud in achieving what we had set out to do and also complete a successful tour programme."
Indeed Mike, his wife Colette, Daryl, Declan, Diane Miller (choreographer), and Michelle Sheridan (guest performer) and all the young people in the choir must be congratulated on the success of their tour during which they exhibited the positive side of Omagh, and spread the message of
peace and reconciliation.
The musical and artistic talents of our youth are an invaluable resource and this tour was an excellent example of how, when given the opportunity, they can perform admirably anywhere in the world to critical acclaim.
Since their return, auditions have been held and a new, bigger choir has been appointed, who next week will embark on yet another busy programme of performances under , the direction of Daryl Simpson and Geraldine Madden.
They are set to perform in many functions and concerts across the country, and, if a suitable venue is located, a performance in Omagh too.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1407
Published Date: 21-Oct-99
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