25 years, 35 people, one voice

QUARTER OF A CENTURY?Westport Choral Society will celebrate 25 years in existence with a special concert on May 17.?Pic: Conor McKeown

25 years, 35 people, one voice


Carrying on the legacy of Westport Choral Society

Ciara Galvin

From singing in the shower, to singing in front of an audience, Westport Choral Society welcomes all types of people. The society, which was established in 1988, will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a concert at Hotel Westport on Friday, May 17. The success and longevity of the musical group can be equally accredited to the dedication of its members, both new and old, and founding member, the late Sister Assumpta Corkell.
Sr Assumpta was appointed as the first Musical Director of the society, holding the first ever concert at the Sacred Heart School assembly hall in Spring 1989. And speaking to members of the society, it is clear that the love of singing and meeting new people has meant that Sr Assumpta’s legacy will live on well into the future. Dispelling any notions that new members must audition, chairperson of the society, Mary Larkin said the only thing people must be equipped with is ‘a love of singing’.
“Although we pride ourselves on being very professional at our concerts, it is very much a fun, community-based group,” noted Ms Larkin.
A relative newcomer, Olivia Wilson joined the group before Christmas last year after seeing an advert for new members as she thought it would be a ‘great way of meeting people’.
“I’m from Galway and work in Castlebar, so I don’t get much time to meet people in Westport. When I saw the ad looking for new members I thought it would be a good way of meeting people,” she explained, adding that weekly rehearsals are a welcome break from work stresses.

Fond memories
Reminiscing on bygone days of the society, long-serving members, Myra Berry, Marie O’Connor, Mar Connolly and Mary Gray spoke fondly to The Mayo News. From winning their first ever competition in Ballina in 1989, to performing at the Castlebar International Choral Festival last year, the group intend to enter competition in the future.
“The group used to travel around the country including Cork, Sligo, Kylemore and Ballina and in the coming years we hope to put Westport back on the map,” stated the society chairperson, Ms Larkin.
The first appointed secretary of the group, Myra Berry, said despite sometimes questioning her sanity, she enjoys every bit of singing with the group.
“In the depths of winter when you have to leave the house and go to rehearsals you sometimes think ‘what am I doing’, but then the buzz of it when you get up and perform is great,” she enthused.
Remembering perhaps the most poignant time of the society’s past, Myra underlined the Spring concert performance in 1994 just weeks after Sr Assumpta died.
“The concert went ahead two weeks after Sr Assumpta died and it was really tough but we all felt that she had put so much into it we couldn’t not do it,” acknowledged Ms Berry.
A testament to the dedication that is still ever-present in the group, just two days before her untimely death, Sr Assumpta stood on the steps of the convent and listened to the group rehearse nearby to ensure all was well in her absence.
Membership regeneration
Now, 25 years on from its inception, the society is looking to regenerate its stalwart membership. Ranging from Myra’s daughter Emer who is 17, to Emer’s grandfather who is in his eighties and is a former member of the group, the society are keen to recruit new members who will carry on the tradition.
“It would be a shame after 25 years to just let it dissolve,” said Ms Larkin.
Holding team building and voice training workshops throughout the year, with the next one taking place this September, the group hope to attract younger members and male singers.
With a wide range of music covered by the group, including the Beatles, Vivaldi and even a song from James Cameron’s epic science fiction film Avatar, a musical taste to suit all manner of singers is catered for.
Looking to the future, the society hope that with the reopening of the town hall in the not-too-distant future, the group will have an opportunity to sing with an even bigger membership.
The group is currently busy preparing for their 25th anniversary concert on Friday, May 17 next, at Hotel Westport at 8.30pm and tickets are just €10. Tickets are available from any member of the society.