Chapel Street Gospel Choir blow the roof off Ballinafad House

BREATHTAKING The night included performances by Chloë Agnew, daughter of entertainer Twink, as well as Chloë’s father, David Agnew.

To celebrate their 20th birthday, Chapel Street Gospel Choir wanted to do something different. “An eclectic mix of outstanding music and performances combined with the highest production standards in a uniquely stunning venue,” was how director Kathy Fahey enivisaged the event — and it certainly lived up to, if not surpassed, her expectations.
The newly renovated Ballinafad House lies just outside Belcarra – a beautiful location with a wonderful atmosphere – was the venue for the night. Front-of-house was managed by Trevor, and he spoke to the various audience members at the wine reception before directing them towards the resplendent venue for the concert.
The Chapel Street Gospel Choir took to the stage to rapturous applause and while they brought their usual mix of vibrant and passionate music, they certainly took it to another level of performance on this occasion from the get-go. The end of their first set came too quickly but they had very shrewdly invited some outstanding guests to bridge the gap to the interval.
There were few dry eyes in the house as David Agnew preceded his unrivalled version of ‘Gabriel’s Oboe’ with a story of his performing the piece at the funeral of legendary actor Ray McAnally. David’s daughter and well-known singer, Chloë, joined him for a rare duet on stage and it, along with her other songs, literally took people’s breath away.
Noted American gospel composer and director, Tom Kendzia invited the choir back on the stage and turned the grand hall in a stately home into an American country church, bringing the ‘congregation’ to their feet, singing along and clapping their hands to the wonderful spiritual music.
The second half of the concert coincided with the onset of night-time, and it was here that the immense production standards came to the fore. From the wonderful projections of videos to accompany the instantly recognisable and impeccably performed songs, to the spectacular lighting within the room, no expense was spared nor corner cut. No one wanted the night to end, but end it had to.
The evening concluded with the audience again taking to their feet, as the choir performed a medley of crowd-pleasing songs from ‘Celebration’ to ‘I got the Music in Me’. This night was one that promised so much, and delivered even more.