Dún Laoghaire’s Choral Society continues to hit the right notes

Aine O’Boyle

AFTER 37 successful years, Dún Laoghaire Choral Society is continuing to grow from strength to strength, and now boasts a chorus of over 92 members.

Formed in 1982 by Séamus Crimmins, the society rose from modest beginnings to bring together members of the local community to relish in the joy of choral and orchestral music.

Just over two years ago, John Doyle joined the society as musical director. Growing up in Wexford, Doyle came from a non-musical background but was recognised for his talents by his teachers and encouraged to pursue a career in music.

Following an undergraduate degree studying music in Trinity College and further study in the Royal Irish Academy, Doyle felt as though his passions lay within conducting.

“I think this sort of conductory gene was in me from day one,” he believes.

The choir rehearses on a weekly basis from September through to June, with rehearsals every Thursday in the Quaker Meeting Hall in Monkstown.

Since taking up his position, Doyle is trying to immerse the choir into all aspects of the local community in Dún Laoghaire and its surrounding areas.

“We are very much rooted in the local community,” he explained.

According to Andrew O’Kelly, Chairperson of Dún Laoghaire Choral Society: “Music like this can often be seen as high-brow or exclusive… but that isn’t to mean exclusive as a barrier, but exclusive as in completely wonderful.”

O’Kelly noted that although most people would love to perform in a beautiful concert hall to a big audience, that performing within the locality is much more tangible.

For example, on Sunday, November 10, the choir performed Joseph Haydn’s ‘The Creation’ in the Castle Street Church in Dalkey.

Prior to the concert, Doyle told Southside People: “For anyone who thinks classical music is dull, this will blow those misconceptions away.

“It’s the most colourful, bombastic, funny, playful piece of music you will ever come across.”

The culmination of seven weeks’ worth of rehearsals was performed by all 92 members of the choir.

Other notable performances include a sell-out show in the Olympia Theatre last April.

“That was amazing because that music was written to be performed in a big Victorian theatre,” said Doyle.

Dún Laoghaire Choral Society is very much a local institution with all of its members residing within a 10-mile radius.

Members come from all walks of life, with some having previous musical experience, while others are like O’Kelly, who actually worked in construction.