MAY 2008 Sunday 4th May at 12 noon COFFEE CONCERT Redmond O'Toole, 8 string Guitar . Tickets €7 / 5 conc. Family €12 Redmond O'Toole plays an 8-string 'Brahms guitar' in the cello position connected to a special resonating box.  In 2007, as well as embarking on two Irish tours, Redmond performed in Mexico and Germany, making guest appearances with the Chieftans and the Ulster Orchestra in Belfast and at the Sionna Festival in Limerick.   APRIL 2008    Wednesday 30th April at 8pm COLLEGIUM MUSICUM (The Netherlands) UNIVERSITY OF LEIDEN CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA Tickets €7 / €5.50 concession This 130 strong choir and orchestra’s programme at Christ Church Cathedral will include works by Bach, Rachmaninoff, Taneyev, Schnittke and Stravinsky. They will be conducted by Gilles Michels (choir) and Quentin Clare (orchestra).   Saturday 26th April at 8pm John Roberts Festival Concert   In association with the Symphony Club of Waterford and Artswave Royal Irish Academy of Music Chamber Orchestra Morriston Rugby Male Voice Choir (Wales) Rhocesi Female Octet (Wales) Tickets €15 / 12 concession Tickets for this event may be pre-booked through Garter Lane at 051 855038   Saturday 19th April at 8pm AOIFE NIC ATHLAOICH & CLÍODNA SHANAHAN PIANO AND CELLO Tickets €15 / €12 concession Aoife and Clíodna have been playing as a duo since they were invited to perform at the Clandeboye Festival in August 2006. Since then, they have performed at the Victoria & Albert Museum concert series, the Londons City Showcase 2007, St. Stephen’s Gloucester Road concert series and Elizabeth Maconchy’s centenary concert.  The programme will include works by Debussy, Beethoven and Raymond Deane.   Tuesday 8th April at 8pm San Clemente High School Choir (United States) The De La Salle Senior Choir City of Waterford Brass Tickets €5 / Family €10 This highly acclaimed American youth choir will present a program entitled "Sacred Sounds - Sacred Spaces" which will include sacred works from Brahms, Palestrina, Busto, Aguiar and Gathrow. They will be joined in concert by the very popular De La Salle Senior Choir and the City of Waterford Brass Sunday 6th April at 12 noon COFFEE CONCERT  Bridget Knowles - Mezzo Soprano Accompanied by Eric Sweeney on Piano Tickets €7 / 5 conc. Family €12 A regular guest soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra and the RTE Concert Orchestra, Bridget’s extensive operatic experience includes performances with Opera Theatre Company and with the prestigious Glyndebourne Festival Opera in the UK.  Bridget’s programme will include songs by Purcell, Handel, Strauss and Fauré.       MARCH 2008  FESTIVAL CHORAL EUCHARIST Sunday 23rd March at 10am. All welcome Christ Church Cathedral choir will perform Mozart’s Coronation Mass as part of the Easter Sunday celebrations.  LUNCH TIME CONCERT PIANO, VOICE AND TRADITIONAL FLUTE Wednesday 12th March at 12 noon.  Admission Free The second of two concerts by three final year students of the BA Music Degree in WIT. Tara Gallagher (Voice), Eadoin Walsh (Piano) and Leah Clark (Traditional Flute) will come together to perform works by Mozart, Handel, Poulenc, Brahms and Rossini, as well as a selection of traditional Irish music. COFFEE CONCERT - CAROLINE REID-O’BRIEN (Soprano) accompanied by Yvonne Collier on Piano With Aine McCarthy-Kent (flute) and Damien O'Brien (piano) Sunday 2nd March at 12 noon Tickets €7 / €5 conc. Family €12  A native of Waterford city, Caroline has been studying singing with Regina Hanley at the WIT Music School for the past four years.Caroline is a member of the Janus Choral Ensemble and their many recitals have included performances at the National Concert Hall, Dublin and City Hall, Cork.  Caroline’s programme will include I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls from The Bohemian Girl by Balfe and Vilia from the Merry Widow by Lehar. Aine McCarthy-Kent is a member of the Dublin based group Rua, with whom she has recorded three albums.      FEBRUARY 2008 COFFEE CONCERT - TOMMIE CUNNIFFE TRIO (Irish Traditional)    Sunday 24th February at 12 noon Admission €7 / 5 conc. Family €12 Tommie Cunniffe’s new album ‘Unbuttoned’ was recently released in Ireland through a series of concerts to great acclaim.  He was a recent guest on Radio One's The Late Session and his album has been picked up for distribution by Ossian in the USA.  He will be accompanied by special guests on guitar and percussion.   LUNCH TIME CONCERT PIANO, VOICE AND TRADITIONAL FLUTE Wednesday 20th February at 1.15pm. Admission free The first of two lunch time concerts featuring Tara Gallagher (Donegal), Leah Clark (Wicklow) and Eadaoin Walsh (Waterford).  All three performers are in their final year of the BA Music Degree in WIT. A varied and exciting programme will include works by Purcell and Mahler from Tara Gallagher (Voice), Debussy and Brahms from Eadaoin Walsh (Piano) and a feast of Irish traditional jigs, waltzes, slow airs and polkas from Leah Clarke (Traditional Flute).   NEW MUSIC WEEK 2008 AT CHRIST CHURCH     LUNCH TIME CONCERT SIMON MAWHINNEY (Piano) Tuesday 5th February 2008 at 1pm  Admission Free Messiaen’s Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant Jésus (Twenty glimpses of the child Jesus) Part Two Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992) was one of the leading composers of the twentieth century and he remains a central influence on the most significant developments in contemporary culture. Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant Jésus was written over a six-month period in 1944 and constitutes a mystical contemplation of the birth of Christ.     LUNCH TIME CONCERT SIMON MAWHINNEY (Piano) Monday 4th February 2008 at 1pm Admission Free Messiaen’s Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant Jésus (Twenty glimpses of the child Jesus) Part One Simon Mawhinney was born in County Down and was educated at the universities of Oxford, York and Queen’s, Belfast, where he was appointed Lecturer in Music in June 2006. His compositions have been performed throughout the world by international leading performers and ensembles and have received a wide range of awards and prizes, including the Royal Philharmonic Society Composition Prize.  He recently recorded his large-scale piano work Reflux for broadcast on BBC Radio 3.   BARRACK STREET BAND Sunday 3rd February 2008 at 8PM Tickets €7 / 5 conc. A concert of Irish contemporary compositions for Wind Band featuring the Barrack Street Band, conducted by Mark Fitzgerald. This fifty member band is one of the oldest in Ireland and has entertained generations of Waterfordians since its first performance at the May procession in Mount Sion in 1870. The programme will include Finnegan’s Wake by A.J. Potter, Song of Lir by Fergal Carroll, A Wexford Rhapsody by T.C. Kelly and Soundshock by Eibhlis Farrell.       COFFEE CONCERT - DAVID LEIGH  (Organ) Sunday 3rd February 2008 at 12 noon Tickets €7 / 5 conc. Family €12 David Leigh is the assistant organist at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin and director of the Cathedral Girls' Choir. He combines these roles with a freelance career as an organist, continuo and orchestral keyboard player, in addition to directing the Gaudete Singers and Res Nova. David performed a programme of music by the French composer Oliver Messiaen, organist at La Sainte Trinité in Paris from 1931 to his death in 1992.  Messiaen is noted for his composition Quartet for the End of Time, written while a prisoner of war in 1941.         FESTIVAL SERVICE Sunday 3rd February at 10am - All Welcome   Christ Church Cathedral Choir sang a special service to celebrate New Music Week 2008.  Music included Messiaen’s O Sacrum Convivium, excerpts from La Nativité and a Eucharist setting by William Matthias.       JANUARY 2008   COFFEE CONCERT - FAURÉ'S REQUIEM  Sunday January 27th at 12 noon Ad Hoc Chorale was conducted by Cian O’Carroll with soloists Stephanie Foley (soprano), Eoin Power (baritone) and Colin Nichols (organ).       DECEMBER 2007   Civic Carol Service Sunday 23rd December, 4 pm, All Welcome Waterford’s most popular carol service features Christ Church Cathedral Choir and City of Waterford Brass accompanying your favourite carols.  Early arrival advised.    London Irish Camerata Wednesday  5th December 8 pm. Tickets €15 / €10 concession This new and exciting chamber orchestra comprises some of the most talented young Irish musicians who are studying at the top music conservatories and working in London.  Featured soloists are Nicola Sweeney (violin, pictured) and Finghin Collins (piano, pictured).  The ensemble are in receipt of an Arts Council Touring Experiment award for this Winter Tour.    Ad Hoc Chorale Sunday 2nd December, 12 midday. Tickets €5 / €10 family  Ad Hoc Chorale was founded in October 2003 and literally met “ad hoc” in one or other of the members’ houses to have some fun singing. Since then they have performed in concert in Waterford and Kilkenny and as part of the Welsh-Irish “Green Dragon Festival”. In 2004 they competed in the AIMS Choral Festival in New Ross, winning the Waterford Crystal trophy for Choirs of under 40 voices.   They will be joined by special guests Sweeney Toddlers.  To start the festive Season both choirs will sing Christmas music old and new. We hope you’ll enjoy and join in!   Service of Advent Carols & Readings Sunday 2nd December, 7 pm, All Welcome To usher in the Christmas season all are welcome to join with the Christ Church Cathedral Choir for a programme of carols and readings on an Advent theme.     London Conchord Ensemble with Daniel Norman (tenor) Thursday 29th November, 8 pm. Tickets €16 / €12 concession The Ensemble clicks perfectly, the playing seemingly effortless and a regard for precision never stifling the musicians’ natural feeling for life and breath’ BBC Music Magazine The London Conchord Ensemble (oboe, violins and cello) will be joined by Daniel Norman (tenor) to perform a beautiful programme including work by Haydn, Vaughan Williams and Mozart.  The Ensemble performs across the UK, Europe and North America, have a busy recording career and make regular live appearances on BBC Radio 3.  The group’s performance level, impressive stage presence and infectious personality make them one not to be missed!   The Barrack Street Concert Band Friday 16th November, 8 pm  Tickets €12 / €10 conc. This fifty member band is one of the oldest in Ireland, established in 1870.  This year's gala concert will include a wide variety of music from classics to modern.  The band is directed by Mark Fitzgerald and will be joined by special guests on the night.     Camerata Cantabile Friday 9th November, 8 pm. Tickets €12 / €10 concession From the heart of Spain this twenty five voice choir is visiting Ireland for the first time to sing ‘Sounds of Spain and South America’.  The choir was established in 2000 and has since won awards and been broadcast on Spanish National Television.  They are conducted by Vanessa Satur.         Piano Ensemble:Meet the Composer Sunday 4th November, 12 midday. Tickets €5 / €10 family  Eric Sweeney and friends play some of his recent compositions for multiple keyboards in the informal setting of a coffee concert. The music will be discussed, analysed and performed by the musicians and audience comments and questions are welcomed.     OCTOBER   FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AT CHRIST CHURCH   Rhayader Male Voice Choir & Waterford Male Voice Choir Saturday 20th October, 8 pm.  Tickets €12 / €10 concession The Rhayader Male Voice Choir is visiting Ireland from its homeland in Mid Wales to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary.  The thirty five voice choir will sing a programme of traditional and spiritual songs.  They are directed by David Hatton and accompanied by Bethan Rees.  The Waterford Male Voice Choir (pictured), directed by Niall Crowley was founded in 2001 and since that time has flourished in both their membership and musical ability. Last year the choir took national titles at the Arklow Music Festival and AIMS New Ross Choral Festival. They have travelled twice to sing, to great acclaim, in the home of male voice choirs, Wales, and are greatly looking forward to this upcoming Celtic get together.   FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AT CHRIST CHURCH Harvest Festival Eucharist Sunday 21st October, 10 am.  All Welcome This year’s Harvest Festival Eucharist will be a Memorial Service for the late Eric de Courcey, organist of the cathedral for over forty years.  The service will include a setting of the Eucharist, hymns and anthem by Eric de Courcey.  All are welcome to attend.   FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AT CHRIST CHURCH The Organ at Christ Church, with Bernard Share & Eric Sweeney Sunday 21st October, 12 midday.  Tickets €5 / €10 family  A festival of music at Christ Church would not be complete without celebrating the magnificent Elliot-Jones organ.  Christ Church’s beautiful organ was originally built by Thomas Elliot in 1817 and restoration was completed in 2003 by Kenneth Jones.  Bernard Share, who recently completed a series of radio programmes on the pipe organ, will give a workshop for adults and children alike, explaining the history and workings of the organ.  The many features will be illustrated by the cathedral organist Eric Sweeney.   FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AT CHRIST CHURCH  Michael McHale Pianist Tuesday 23rd October 8 pm. Tickets €16 / €12 concession Thanks to generous funding from the Community Foundation for Ireland, the cathedral has been able to purchase a Yamaha C5 grand piano.  One of the leading young Irish pianists of his generation, Michael McHale will perform the inaugural recital.  Michael won the Brennan and Field prizes at the 2006 AXA Dublin International Piano Competition and featured as a ‘rising star’ in International Piano magazine following his performance with the Hallé Orchestra at the Piano 2006 Festival in Manchester.    FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AT CHRIST CHURCH SWINGLE SINGERS Friday 26th October 8 pm. Tickets €35 / €25 concession Everything about the Swingle Singers is flawless Los Angeles Times The Festival at Christ Church and the people at Imagine have come together to bring an exceptional treat to Waterford audiences.  There are few music lovers in this world who haven’t heard the name the swingle singers.  Since the release of their ground-breaking debut album Jazz Sébastien Bach in 1963, this eight-voice a cappella group has performed in every continent and on the world’s most famous stages.  The current line-up of young, gorgeous and talented singers will perform a dazzling programme with music from traditional swung Bach to newer latin-jazz sounds.      Supported by Aer Arann and Shaws Waterford.   FESTIVAL OF MUSIC AT CHRIST CHURCH City of Waterford Brass Sunday 28th October, 8 pm.  Tickets €12 / €10 concession This gala concert will be a celebration of 75 years of music making in Waterford and beyond. Guest soloists include Brendan Doyle (Saxophone) David Quinlan (Soprano Cornet) Brendan Long (Trombone) and Stephanie Foley (Vocal).  City of Waterford Brass will be under the direction of Julie Quinlan.  The second half of the concert will be performed by City of Waterford All Star Brass; where friends from near and far will join the current members of the band. The All Star Brass will be conducted by Fergus O’ Carroll (courtesy of the NSO) The programme of music promises to be exciting from traditional brass to well-loved favourites.   DUO:NOW Guitar & Flute  Sunday 7th October, 12 midday. Tickets €5 / €10 family  German duo Marco Schmidt (guitar) and Matthias Nahmmacher (flute) take a quick stop in Waterford for an hour-long coffee concert while doing a concert tour of Ireland.  Matthias studied flute in Hamburg, while Marco studied piano at the academies of Vienna and Cologne.  Their programme will include music by J. S. Bach, Francesco Molino and Chick Corea.   European Union Chamber Orchestra Tuesday 16th October, 8 pm.  Tickets €16 / €12 concession In association with Symphony Club of Waterford   SEPTEMBER 2007     THOMAS HEYWOOD Organist Wednesday 26th September 8 pm Tickets €15 / €10 concession   This is the second in a series of three concerts by Thomas Heywood at Christ Church this year (see 22nd August). The stunning programme will feature one great classic after another with music by Rossini, Rachmaninoff, Vivaldi, Mozart, Beethoven, Handel, Verdi and Sibelius.   ERIC SWEENEY Organist Sunday 2nd September, 12 Midday Admission Free Eric Sweeney will close the summer free organ music series with music by Bach; Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C, and Widor; Symphony No. 5 for Organ. Eric will include excerpts from his recent commission The Mass of St. Patrick, which was premiered and broadcast from St. Patrick’s Cathedral Dublin this year on St. Patrick’s Day. Eric studied organ in Belgium and Italy and has given recitals all over Europe and North America.  In 2003 he released a CD of original choral & organ music recorded on Christ Church Cathedral's Elliot-Jones Organ 'handled with compositional imagination, flair and skill'. Supported by Waterford City Council   THE OUTSIDE TRACK  Irish Traditional Music Friday 7th September, 8 pm Admission €15 / €10 concession The Outside Track formed when they were all students at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in Limerick, and is quickly earning itself a reputation as one of the most exciting new bands on the traditional music scene. With a truly diverse line-up, from Scotland, England, Ireland and Canada, they combine music from all their different cultures to form a distinct and dynamic musical sound. Flute, harp, fiddle, guitar, accordion and vocals combine in expressive, energetic arrangements that deliver traditional music with a modern twist. The Outside Track's debut CD, Tracking, was recorded in late 2006 and released in June 2007 on the UK-based Bedspring label.   An Evening of Irish & Breton Traditional Music Emer Mayock flute, whistle, uilleann pipes & fiddle Jean-Michel Veillon flute Donal Siggons guitar, bouzouki & mandolin Saturday 15th September, 8 pm. Admission €15 / €12   ‘Consorting lithely on flute, cello, pipes, whistle and fiddle, she waltzes, jigs and reels like few others. Exceptional music, remarkable musician.’ ***** The Irish Times on Emer Mayock. Three exceptional musicians will come together from Dublin, Mayo and the north coast of Brittany to provide a memorable night of music. Emer Mayock has produced two cds and performed widely working with musicians Donal Lunny, Paddy Glackin, singer Damien Dempsey, The Irish Chamber Choir and the Italian baroque ensemble il Giardino Armonico, among others. Donal Siggins is a composer and is active in touring and recording. Jean-Michel Veillon has toured Europe and the US extensively and has achieved widespread recognition as one of the world’s premier traditional flute players. Together they will present an evening of traditional and new music from Ireland and Brittany.         AUGUST   DE FANFARE VAN DE VIERDE HOEDANIGHEID (HOLLAND) The Fourth Capacity Brass Band Sunday 5th August, Midday, Admission Free As part of the Spraoi weekend, Christ Church will present a free and fun recital for all the family. This 17 piece band from Boxmeer, Holland brings together musicians from diverse musical backgrounds leading to a carnival style repertoire. With large wind and rhythm sections, their performances always guarantee quite a few surprises for musicians as well as audience!   COLOGNE NEW PHILHARMONIC CHAMBER ORCHESTRA Saturday 18th August, 8 pm. Tickets €18, €15 OAP, €12 students & children The Cologne New Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra returns to Waterford after their sell-out performance and standing ovation at the cathedral last summer. This core chamber orchestra has been enchanting audiences across Europe for over thirty years. Their style of interpretation is characterized by spirit, vivacity and faithful rendition. Their programme will include Vivaldi, La Tempesta di Mare; J.S. Bach, Suite No. 2 in B Minor; Mozart, Divertimento in B Major; Rossini Sonata No. 3 for String Orchestra.   THOMAS HEYWOOD Organist Wednesday 22nd August 8 pm Tickets €15 / €10 concession This is the second in a series of three concerts by Thomas Heywood at Christ Church this year. The programme will include music by Handel, Mascagni, Verdi, Debussy and Vittorio Monti. When Thomas played on the cathedral’s Elliot-Jones organ in 2004 a Waterford reviewer wrote ‘It is the virtuoso playing that picks you up on a current of music that fills the cathedral, fills your heart and delights the soul.’ Touring extensively around the world, Heywood has an amazingly comprehensive repertoire of over 5,000 works. In 2007 his demanding schedule again incorporates nearly six months touring in Concert Halls, Town Halls, Cathedrals and Churches throughout North America, the UK and Europe. "Even if you think you don’t like organ recitals, don’t even think of missing him." The Dallas Morning News, USA   ST. FIN BARRE'S CATHEDRAL CHOIR Evensong Sunday 26th August 7.30 pm Admission Free, All Welcome St. Fin Barre's is well known for its high musical standards. Over many centuries the Cathedral has maintained a fine choral tradition in the heart of the city of Cork. Colin Nicholls is Organist and Master of the Choristers. In addition to his cathedral position, he is the lecturer in organ studies at the Cork School of Music and directs the East Cork Choral Society. In December 2003, he was awarded an Honorary M.A. by the National University of Ireland in recognition of his services to music throughout the city, county and nation. This will be his final performance with the choir prior to his retirement. JULY 2007   ELIZABETH COONEY & REDMOND O'TOOLE FRIDAY 6th JULY 8 pm, Tickets €15 / €10 Two of Ireland's finest young musicians come together for a nationwide tour in June-July 2007.  The duo gave their first recital last November in the Royal Dublin Society's 2006 Chamber Music Weekend.  Selected as the 2006 Naional Concert Hall 'Rising Star', Cork-born London-based Elizabeth Cooney has given many concerto performances and played in top venues in the UK, Europe and the USA, including Carnegie Hall.  A member of the Syrius Trio, she has a broad range of chamber music partners.  From Bray, Redmond O'Toole is the first guitarist in the world to adapt to Paul Galbraith's new groundbreaking technique of performing on an eight-string guitar in the cello position.  O'Toole was until recently based in Germany, where his recitals continue to receive public and critical acclaim.  He has just returned from a highly successful concert tour of Mexico and the Carribean.  Programme: Penderecki, Rodrigo, De Falla, Villa Lobos, Dwyer, Giuliani.   DAVID LEIGH SUNDAY 2nd July, Midday, Admission Free David Leigh will perform the second in a series of free summer organ recitals celebrating the unique world-class Elliot Jones organ.  David is assistant organist of St. Patrick's cathedral in Dublin and director of the Cathedral Girls' Choir.  He combines these roles with a busy freelance career as an organist, continuo and orchestral keyboard player, in addition to directing the Gaudete Singers and Res Nova.  His programme will include music by J.S. Bach, Enrico Bossi and Jehan Elain.  Supported by Waterford City Council.    JUNE 2007  THOMAS HEYWOOD at Christ Church Cathedral WEDNESDAY 27th June 8 pm, Tickets €15 / €10 The internationally acclaimed organ virtuoso Thomas Heywood enjoys an outstanding reputation as one of the world's finest concert organists.  The 33 year old 'Wizard from Oz' is celebrated as 'an acknowledged master' for his spoken introductions and truly unique ability to make the greatest music of all time come alive on the King of Instruments.  This is the first in a series of three concerts by Thomas at the cathedral this year, culminating in a performance during the cathedral's 'Festival of Music' 20th - 27th October 2007.  Thomas will be taking the audience on a tour of the finest and most famous classical and romantic music - and a showcase of the finest music celebrating the anniversaries of Sir Edward Elgar (150th), Edvard Grieg (100th) and Jean Sibelius (50th).    BACKBEAT PERCUSSION QUARTET at Christ Church Cathedral FRIDAY 22nd JUNE 8 pm, Tickets €16 / €12 concession Be amazed by an exhilerating performance from BackBeat Percussion Quartet which will leave you positively enthused.  This programme focused on music by Irish composers, also features the world premiere of a new work by Ann Cleare and the Irish premiere of Donnacha Dennehy's Table Manners.    AGUSTÍN MARURI at Christ Church Cathedral TUESDAY 19TH JUNE 8 pm, TICKETS €15, €10 concession Agustin Maruri has given masterclasses and concerts in five continents and has performed in venues such as The Grand Theatre(La Habana), National Hall (Madrid),  and Votivkirche (Vienna).  He has produced 20 cds which are distributed worldwide receiving audiences' and critics' recognition.  For his Waterford performance he will perform music by Mauro Giuliani, Tisserand and Segovia.  Agustín will also perform in the foyer of Waterford Regional Hospital as part of Waterford Healing Arts 'Healing Sounds' programme at 1.30 pm.   HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHOIR at Christ Church Cathedral WEDNESDAY 13TH JUNE 8 pm, ADMISSION FREE The Holy Cross Lutheran Choir comes all the way from Wichita, Kansas, USA.  The choir of over thirty voices will be conducted by their director of forty years Dr. Harrison Broughton.  Their programme will include American folk hymns and spirituals.  All are welcome.     MALCOLM PROUD at Christ Church Cathedral SUNDAY 3RD JUNE 12 NOON, ADMISSION FREE Malcolm Proud is a lecturer on the BA Degree Course in Music at WIT and organist and choirmaster at St. Canice's Cathedral in Kilkenny.  He has given organ recitals across Europe and throughout Ireland.  Malcolm will play pieces from the Clavierueburg 3 by J.S. Bach.  Suppported by Waterford City Council.      CARLOW YOUNG ARTIST'S CHOIR at Christ Church Cathedral SATURDAY 12TH MAY, 8 PM TICKETS €5 / €10 FAMILY from 051 874 402 Carlow Young Artist's Choir's concert tour programme features the Faure Requiem, contemporary choral repetoire by major international composers and newly commissioned pieces by Irish composers Ian Wilson and Sue Furlong.  This is CYAC's inaugural national tour and is unique in featuring a youth ensemble performing a challenging and diverse range of repetoire to an exceptionally high standard.  Supported by The Arts Council and Carlow County Council.     TRAD MHÓR at Christ Church Cathedral SUNDAY 6th MAY, 12 NOON TICKETS €5 / €10 FAMILY from 051 874 402 Trad Mhór, a Tramore based traditional Irish group will play a variety of different tune types including jigs, reels, hornpipes, Irish ballads and Newfoundland tunes in their performance.  This seven-piece band consists of Mick Cullen (mandolin & mandola), Liam Nolan (mandolin, mandola & bodhrán), Ritchie McDonald (bass & vocals), Dave McGough (low whistle, guitar, vocals, mandolin), Jenny Burn (flute), Bridget O'Connell (fiddle) and Mark Waters (vocal & guitar).  The band regularly performs at sessions and concerts in the Waterford area and have performed at international festivals including the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in 1995. Bridget O'Connell is currently writing a Ph.d. on fiddle playing in Newfoundland.  During her visit there she met a great fiddle player from the Port au Port Peninsula named Alphonsus Young.  Recently, Alphonsus' grand-daughter Jeania has been diagnosed with aggressive throat cancer.  This concert is to raise funds for Jeania and her family in the difficult times ahead.         CHORALLEN & MADRIGALLERY CHAMBER CHOIRS at Christ Church Cathedral SUNDAY 29TH APRIL, 12 NOON TICKETS €5 / €10 FAMILY from 051 874 402 The all female choir 'Chorallen' hails from the beautiful city of Lubeck, Northern Germany and are in Ireland on the invitation of Waterford's own chamber choir 'Madrigallery'.  Chorallen will present samples of their zesty and contagiously cheerful programme.  The Waterford chamber choir Madrigallery was founded fifteen years ago and has been very successful in competitions having won top awards at choral festivals in Cork, Sligo, Navan and at AIMS Choral Festival.   NATIONAL CONCERT HALL EDUCATION & COMMUNITY OUTREACH Presents The WhistleBlast Quartet To celebrate the reopening of the cathedral, the National Concert Hall Education and Outreach programme is coming to Waterford.  The programme was established in 1998 and exists to provide a programme of events for all people in Ireland, regardless of age, background or geographic location, where they can experience music within an informal environment.  The Whistle Blast Quartet produces recitals and children's workshops in an imaginative style to encourage in those who are not normally exposed to classical music, a taste for more.  The quartet will visit schools in Waterford city and county over the week culminating in family recitals in Lismore Courthouse on Friday 27th April at 7 pm and Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday 28th April at 7 pm.    FAMILY CONCERTS WITH THE WHISTLEBLAST QUARTET at Lismore Courthouse Theatre FRIDAY 27th APRIL, 7 PM, Tickets €5 / €10 families available on door from 6.30 pm at Christ Church Cathedral, Waterford SATURDAY 28th APRIL, 7 PM  Tickets €5 / €10 families available on door from 6.30 pm As a finale to their three days of workshops in Waterford city and county, The WhistleBlast Quartet will perform hour long family concerts at Lismore Courthouse on Friday 27th April and at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday 28th April at the earlier than usual time of 7 pm.  The quartet are Mary Curran (french horn), Sile Daly (oboe, cor anglais), Ken Edge (clarinet, saxes) and Andrew Sinnott (piano).  The members of the quartet are all fulltime freelance musicians working with RTE orchestras, Irish Chamber Orchestra, Opera Theatre Company, shows, recordings and many children's outreach programmes as individuals and for the National Concert Hall.  The concert will include both light and 'serious' music with some audience participation!  This concert forms part of the John Roberts Festival programme.  The festival celebrates the life of Georgian Waterford-born architect John Roberts (1714-1796) through lectures, concerts, talks and events.  John Roberts designed Christ Church Cathedral, which after five years and almost €5 million euro heen restored to its original splendour.  It is appropriate that this year's festival will celebrate the cathedral's architect with music for Waterford's families as Christ Church Cathedral is a gift from one generation to the next.  Children of all ages are very welcome!!                DUBLIN GUITAR QUARTET at Christ Church Cathedral SATURDAY 21ST APRIL, 8 PM TICKETS €14/ €10 CONC. from 051 874 402 The Dublin Guitar Quartet members are Brian Bolger, Pat Brunnock, Cian O'Hara and Ciaran Rosney who as an ensemble have gained a strong following in rock and classical circles with their virtousic performances and extraordinary sets of instrumental music.  This unique group showcases eight-string and eleven-string guitars enabling them to develop an entirely new repertoire for the guitar quartet.  The concert will include works by Leo Brouwer, Philip Glass, David Flynn, Eric Sweeney and Henryk Gorecki. Supported by Music Network   IRISH BAROQUE ORCHESTRA & RESURGAM at College Street Chapel, WIT WEDNESDAY 4TH APRIL, 8 PM TICKETS €16, €12 from 051 874 402 The Irish Baroque Orchestra present the much loved Bach St. John Passion at a time of year in which its powerful message will have added resonances, promising an uplifting seasonal and musical experience.  St. John Passion will be directed by Mark Duley with Maya Homburger (guest leader & violin).  Soloists include Lynda Lee (soprano), Robin Trischler (tenor), Owen Willetts (countertenor), Andrew Greenan (bass), Andrew Carwood (Evangelist) and Michael George (Christus). Note: venue is College Street Chapel, WIT.  Co-promotion with Symphony Club of Waterford NAPA VALLEY CHOIR at College Street Chapel, WIT MONDAY 2nd APRIL, 8 PM, ADMISSION FREE RETIRING COLLECTION IN AID OF DUNMORE EAST TRAWLER TRAGEDY APPEAL Napa Valley School Choirs from California's wine growing region have toured the world winning top awards at international competitions in Austria, Australia, Ireland, and Hawaii and at national events in New York City, Williamsburg and Orlando.  This marks the Napa High School Choirs' third performance tour of Ireland.  120 voices will join in song in aid of the Dunmore East Trawler Tragedy Appeal.  Note: venue is College Street Chapel, WIT. MARCH 2007 DULCET at St. Olaf's Hall SUNDAY 25TH MARCH, 12 NOON  TICKETS €5, €10 FAMILY Annette Howley (mezzo-soprano), Rachel Breen (lyric-soprano) and Jacqueline Hutchinson (mezzo-soprano) formed Dulcet in 2001.  The trio have gone from strength to strength with highlights including the recording of a four track cd, performances on RTE Lyricfm and Radio One's Rattlebag and Failte Isteach.  They have a wide-ranging repertoire from Irish to classical, Gershwin, Rogers and Hammerstein, sacred music and musical theatre favourites. OPERATIC EXCERPTS SUNDAY 4TH MARCH, 12 NOON  TICKETS €5, €10 FAMILY Christ Church continues to provide a platform for emerging professional musicians giving audiences access to the best in young talent.  Final year student's on WIT's Music Degree course will sing excerpts from Mozart's opera 'The Marraige of Figaro'.  Laura Kavanagh, Catriona Tynan, Genevieve Molloy and Fintan Scanlon have studied voice with Anne Woodworth and will be accompanied by Yvonne Collier FEBRUARY 2007 MEET THE COMPOSER! WITH JOHN GODFREY SUNDAY 25TH FEBRUARY, 12 NOON, TICKETS €5, €10 FAMILY John Godfrey was born in England and studied music & composition at University of York.  While a student there he gained an enthusiasm for both composition and performance of new music.  In 1989 he formed the new music group Icebreaker, which went on to become one ofthe most successful ensembles in its field, recording and performing extensively in Europe and America.  Upon leaving Icebreaker in 1997 John was invited to join Crash Ensemble, a Dublin-based new music group with whom he performs as pianist, electric guitarist and occasional MD / conductor.  John's compositional background is rooted in minimalism and more recently he is developing an extensive new repertoire of knowledge about music technology.  Come and listen to original work by John Godfrey, hear it introduced by the composer adn ask questions about the music making process.  It will be an hour long concert, with free refreshments and colouring provided for smaller children. MEET THE COMPOSER! WITH BR. BEN HANLON & DE LA SALLE BOYS CHOIR SUNDAY 4TH FEBRUARY, 12 NOON, ADMISSION FREE IN ASSOCIATION WITH WATERFORD NEW MUSIC WEEK 2007 Ever wondered how music is put together?  Now is your opportunity to listen to original work, hear it discussed, and even ask questions about the music making process.  Br. Ben Hanlon has been involved in music making and performance for many years and is currently studying for a Masters in Composition at Waterford Institute of Technology.  He is Director of Music in De la Salle Secondary School adn has written many original works fo rthe boys choir.  This is a chance for composer, performers and audience to sing, listen and talk about new music in a relaxed and informal setting.  It will be an hour long coffee concert, with free refreshments and colouring provided for smaller children. JANUARY 2007 NORAH RENDELL & BRIAN MILLER SUNDAY 21st JANUARY 2007, 12 NOON  Tickets €5 & €10 family This is Norah Rendell's third time to play as part of the Christ Church Cathedral programme.  The traditional flute player and singer hails from Vancouver and is currently studying from an MA at the Irish Academy of Music and Dance in Limerick.  She will be joined by guitarist Brian Miller who comes all the way from Minnesota USA.  The duo are currently recording their first album.  DECEMBER 2006 CIVIC CAROL SERVICE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY, BARRONSTRAND STREET Sunday 17th December 3.30 pm  No Admission Fee  This year Waterford's most popular carol service took place in the Catholic Cathedral on Barronstrand Street.  Come and enjoy Christ Church Cathedral Choir and City of Waterford Brass accompanying your favourite carols.  Early arrival advised.    SERVICE OF ADVENT CAROLS & READINGS Sunday 3rd December 7 pm   No Admission Fee To usher in the Christmas season the Christ Church Cathedral Choir  sang a programme of carols Advent theme.   DANESCASTLE SCHOOL OF TRADITIONAL MUSICIANS Sunday 3rd December 12 noon   Tickets €5 & €10 family Danescastle Music Group was founded more than twenty years ago and the pupils have played at countless events and won numerous awards over the years.  Founded by Martha Torpey and John Marshall it now caters for approx 150 pupils between the ages of 4 and 20.  Danescastle pupils have traveled the length and breadth of Ireland performing and competing at many musical festivals.  They also play at many local events in their native Carrig on Bannow.  A big highlight of the pupils year is their annual visit to play in St. David's Cathedral in Wales.  They were joined by their musical director Aine Kennedy.   NOVEMBER 2006 COLM MCDONAGH Sunday 5th November 12 noon   Tickets €5 & €10 family Classical guitarist Colm McDonagh is a first year MMus student in Trinity College of Music in London studying with Graham Anthony Devine.  He received a BA Music in WIT where he studied with Michael O'Toole and was previously an award winning student at Walton's New School of Music where he was taught by David Hennessey.  He has attended master classes with world class virtousos such as Juan Martin, Carlos Bonell adn John Williams.  His programme includes music by Scarlatti, Bach and Albeniz.   OCTOBER 2006 TRENT OPERA Miscellany of Light Opera Delights! Sunday 1st October 12 Noon    Tickets €5 & €10 family Trent Opera from England are bringing their production of 'Fiddler on the Roof' to Waterford's International Festival of Light Opera.  They will sing a selection of songs from this and other productions in a midday concert for all the family.   HARVEST FESTIVAL SERVICE Sunday 8th October 10 am   No Admission Fee The Harvest Thanksgiving service is an annual service of the Church of Ireland in which the congregation offer praise and thanks for the wonders of creation.  During the service children present a montage of harvest scenes.  All are welcome to attend. SEPTEMBER 2006   NORAH RENDELL& AILIE ROBERTSON TRADITIONAL IRISH FLUTE, HARP & VOCALS Sunday 17th September 12 noon   Tickets €5 & €10 family Flautist, whistle player and singer Norah Rendell is from Vancouver, Canada.  She began her professional music career playing recorder as featured soloist with the McGill Baroque Orchestra and the Pacific Baroque Orchestra in Canada.  From early music her interest shifted to traditional Irish music and she took up the flute while travelling through Ireland in 2003.  She has been funded by the Canadian Council for the Arts to study flute on the MA course at the Irish Academy of Music and Dance in Limerick.    Ailie Robertson comes from Edinburgh Scotland and started playing harp when she was eleven, under the expert tuition of Isobel Mieras.  While brought up mainly on Scottish music, she has always had a passion for Irish music, and is also an accomplished concert harpist.  Having completed her BA in Cambridge, she undertook an MA in Irish Traditional Music at the Irish Academy of Music and Dance in Limerick.  Together Norah and Ailie will play an hour long concert of music and song for all the family.   AUGUST 2006 ST. BRIGID'S CATHEDRAL CHOIR Sunday 27th August 12 noon   Tickets €5 & €10 family On their first visit to Waterford, St. Brigid's Cathedral Choir sang from their cd Ceol Cill Dara, released this year.  They were acccompanied by organist Hilary Dickinson-Guter and directed by Derek Verso.   THE ROGERSTONE BRASS BAND Saturday 26th August 7.30 pm     Tickets €5 The Rogerstone Brass Band from South Wales performed a mixture of Big Band music, hymns and traditional march music.   THE OUTSIDE TRACK, TRADITIONAL Saturday 19th August, 8 pm   Tickets €15 & €10 The Outside Track formed in October 2005 at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick.  Irish guitarist Alan Jordan, Scottish harpist Ailie Robertson, Canadian flautist and vocalist Norah Rendell, English fiddler and vocalist Patricia Clark and Scottish accordionist and vocalist Fiona Black, together weave the contrasting timbres of flute, harp, fiddle, guitar, accordion and vocals into colourful arrangements with unexpected textures.   COLOGNE NEW PHILHARMONIC CHAMBER ORCHESTRA Friday 11th August 8 pm   Tickets €15 & €12 concession Since its foundation in 1972 CNPO has comprised players from over fifty nations.  It aims to inspire people who may not necessarily have come into contact with classical music before.  To achieve this, CNPO has developed its own highly individual style of interpretation - engaging and direct while still remaining true to the intentions of the composer.  Artistic director and conductor Volker Hartung has led the orchestra on several tours throughout Europe.  Volker Hartung is one of the most interesting  personalities on the conducting scene today.  His unmistakable conducting style and skill in handling orchstras and soloists make him very popular wherever he works.  He has been Principal Conductor of the Junge Philharmonie Koln (Cologne New Philharmonic Orchestra ) since 1986 and has appeared with the Orchestra at numbrous International Music Festivals.  The orchestra will play 'Summer' from Vivaldi's Four Seasons and music from Bach, Tchaikovski and Mozart.   THOMAS HEYWOOD, ORGANIST Sunday 6th August, 12 noon   Admission Free 'The most compelling music making of any kind I've heard in ages' The Dallas Morning News, USA The cathedral is delighted to welcome back the internationally acclaimed organ virtouso Thomas Heywood, who enjoys an outstanding reputation as one of the world's finest concert organists.  As the first and only Australian musician in history to live as a professional concert organist, 32 year-old Heywood is renowned for his truly unique ability tomake the greatest music of all time come alive on teh King of Instruments.  Touring extensively around the world, Heywood has an amazingly comprehensive repertouire of over 5,000 works.  His Christ Church performance will include music from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Grieg's Peer Gynt Suite and Bach's classic Fantasia & Fugue in G minor. Our summer series of free organ recitals is kindly supported by  Waterford CIty Council.     JULY 2006   NATIONAL YOUTH CHOIR OF WALES Saturday 29th July, 8 pm   Tickets €15 & €10 concession 'The National Youth Choir of Wales lit up Christ Church Cathedral last Saturday 29th July, with a spirited and powerful concert of songs that underlined the depth and quality of talent that they have in abundance.'  Liam Murphy, Munster Express 4th August 2006 Cor Cenedlaethol Ieuenctid Cymru, the National Youth Choir of Wales, was formed by the Welsh Amateur Music Federation in 1984 to support both the long-standing choral tradition of Wales and the development needed for that tradition to flourish.  Members of the choir, aged between 16 an 21 years, are drawn from all parts of Wales.  NYCW has given concerts in London, Berlin, Leipzig, Bruges, Brussels, Paris, Vienna and Budapest, in addition to performing throughout Wales, and at many of the major cathedrals in England.  It broadcasts regularly on television and radio.  Their Irish programme included works by Byrd, Tomkins, Mozart, Michael Haydn, Britten and a new commission by Hector McDonald, together with spirituals and Welsh traditional songs.     GUTTORM GULENG, ORGANIST Sunday 16th July, 12 noon  Admission Free Norwegian organist Guttorm Guleng won 1st prize at the most recent Dublin International Organ competition.  He started playing the organ with Magne Hansen and Bjorn and Andor Drage in Bodo.  He continued with Karstein AEro, and is currently under private tuition by Andreas Liebig in Oslo and Professor Hans Fagius in Copenhagen.  Guleng has given recitals in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Switzerland.  His programme included music by Bach, Dupre and Grieg. Our summer series of free organ recitals is kindly supported by  Waterford CIty Council.   MADELEINE DOHERTY, HARPIST Sunday 2nd July, 12 noon   Tickets €5 & €10 family Trained as a Celtic harpist and singer in Ireland, Madeleine won a scholarship to study concert harp in the US.  As a solo artist she has toured Europe, the US and the Caribbean and has recorded for radio and television in Ireland, France, Germany, Belgium and America.  A long time member of the RTE Philharmonic Choir, Madeleine is now a freelance concert harpist and singer.  She plays both celtic and concert harp.    JUNE 2006 IRISH BAROQUE ORCHESTRA Wednesday 28th June, 8 pm   Tickets €15 & €10 concession 'Director and violinist Monica Huggett was wonderful...Malcolm Proud is splendid...Laoise O'Brien and Kate Hearne were wonderful...a joy of music'.  Liam Murphy, Munster Express, 7th July 2006 The Irish Baroque Orchestra is Ireland's only professional period instrument orchestra.  The orchestra gives Irish audiences the rare and precious opportunity to hear seventeenth and eighteenth century music on baroque instruments or modern replicas.  They presented a programme of sparkling Bach orchestral works for various combinations of instruments, featuring recorders, flute and the breathtaking violinist Monica Huggett.  At the core of the programme were the well known and much loved Brandenburg Concertos 3,4 & 5.  In association with Symphony Club of Waterford.   AGUSTIN MARURI, CLASSICAL GUITAR Saturday 24th June, 8 pm   Tickets €15 & €10 concession Augustin Maruri has given concerts in five continents and has performed in venues such as The Grand Theatre (La Habana), National Hall (Madrid), Royal Dublin Society, Tuomikirkon (Helsinki), Votivkirche (Vienna), and many more.  He has given masterclasses as invited Professor at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, the Cork School of Music, the New Delhi Schools of Music and the Peking Superior Conservatory.  He has produced 20 cds which are distributed worldwide receiving audience and critical recognition.  His programme included music by de Falla, Tisserand and Piazzola.   FIRST PARISH SENIOR CHOIR Tuesday 20th June, 8 pm  Admission Free The First Parish Senior Choir is an 50 voice group choir who provide choral music at the First Parish Church in Brunswick, Maine, USA.  Over the years, the choir has performed a number of major works with full orchestra, including Bach's Mass in B Minor; Mendelssohn's St. Paul and Elijah and Brahm's Requiem.  For their Irish tour they sang songs from the Shaker community and American spirituals.   Conductor Ray Cornils has performed throughout the USA, Europe and New Zealand.  Organ accompaniment was by Julia Morris-Myers.    TOSCA, OPERA Thursday 15th & Friday 16th June, 8 pm  Tickets €22 & €18 concession Tosca...a tale of love, lust, deceit and murder 'TOSCA, Puccini's greatest classic opera, was given the most spectacular, highly atmospheric and original treatment ever seen in this country.' Eddie Hearne, Waterford News & Star 23.6.06 'Michael Hunt, with his exciting event opera version of Puccini's emotional and musically powerful TOSCA set a wonderful standard.'  Liam Murphy, Munster Express 23.6.06 'This production acheived...its main goals, to take opera out of the opera house, to engage its audience, and to make a splash by being different.'  Michael Dervan, Irish Times, 17.6.06 Puccini's Tosca is a delightful and unforgettable experience for both new opera fans and long time opera lovers.  This melodious and melo-dramatic score of ovewhelming passion plays against the panoramic politics of soon-to-be Napoleon's Rome.  This special Theatre Royal co-production involving Waterford's SPRAOI and Christ Church Cathedral featured a local choir (Chorus Master Kevin O'Carroll) and a large instrumental ensemble.  Audiences were transported from the Cathedral to the Theatre and back outside the Bishop's Palace for the dramatic climax of this stunning drama.  TOSCA featured an internationally renowned cast including Italian baritone Mario Melone, Canadian soprano Constance Novis and Canadian tenor David Curry.   ERIC SWEENEY, ORGANIST Sunday 4th June, 12 noon   Admission Free Eric Sweeney played the first of Christ Church Cathedral's summer series of free organ recitals.  Eric studied organ is Belguin and Italy and has given recitals all over Europe and North America.  In 2003 he released a CD of original choral & organ music recorded on the Cathedral's Elliot Organ 'handled with compositional imagination, flair and skill'.  He is a member of Aosdana and was a member of the Arts Council from 1989 to 1993.  He is Head of the School of Music at WIT.  Eric played a programme of popular organ classics including Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor, the Grand March from Aida, Barber's Adagio and the Prince of Denmark's March. Our summer series of free organ recitals is kindly supported by  Waterford CIty Council.

MAY 2006

Cork Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, 6th May 8pm Tickets €15 / €10 conc.

Conductor and soloist: Keith Pascoe

The Cork Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1934 by the late Professor Aloys Fleischmann and it draws its membership from Cork city and county, providing an opportunity for adult musicians to perform a variety of music for the public.

The programme included Mozart: Sonfonie Concertante and Stanford: Symphony No. 7
Soloists Simon Aspell, Viola and Keith Pascoe, Violin.
Conductor: Keith Pascoe
Leader: Brian Murphy

In association with the Symphony Club of Waterford


Joe Whelan, Classical Guitar and Jenny Burns, Flautist
Sunday, 7th May at 12.00 noon
Tickets €5 / €10 family including coffee

Joe Whelan studied classical guitar under Michael O'Toole at the Waterford Institute of Technology, graduating with a Master of Arts in Music Performance in 2005. Although he has gained a reputation as a solo guitar performer, ensemble playing remains a vital part of his musical activity.

Jenny Burns was born in Surrey where she began her musical career as a principal orchestral player. She gained much experience during extensive tours of the UK and continental Europe with both the Croydon Schools of Symphony and Croydon Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. Following further flute studies at Essex University, she was appointed flute teacher at Colchester Institute of Music and maintained her performance interests playing with the Institute's Symphonic Wind Band, and Symphonic Orchestra. Now living in Waterford, Jenny continues to work with a wide variety of musical ensembles.

Joe and Jenny first played together in 2004, performing early 19th century flute and guitar duets, but they share a particular interest in the music of 20th century composers and they have chosen a diverse collection of works from Bartok, Piazzolla, Rodrigo and Castlenuovo-Tedesco for their 2006 programme.

Quintessential Vocal Ensemble
Wednesday, 3rd May 8 pm - Free concert

For over twelve years, the QVE has brought together an exceptional standard of performance and a love of the choral art to become one of the most accomplished choirs in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The choir draws together 40 young adult members with diverse backgrounds in music, work and study.

QVE is known for its versatile a capella repertoire, including sacred, spiritual, folk, jazz and works by contemporary composers. The choir has recorded two CDs and is the recipient of multiple awards from th Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod in Wales, the CBC National Radio Competition for Amateur Choirs, and the National Music Festival of Canada.

Between 1.00 and 1.50 pm QVE will gave a special workshop for primary school pupils in Waterford.
With special thanks to the Ireland Newfoundland Partnership 


APRIL 2006

John Roberts Waterford - Gala Concert
Saturday, 29th April 8pm Tickets €15 / €12 conc.

Artswave, in association with Christ Church Cathedral, Garter Lane Arts Centre and John Roberts Waterford, presented a Gala Concert featuring Ysgol Gerdd Ceredigion from Wales. The music school was founded in 1993 to promote high standards among its members, aged between 6 to 18 years. Directed by Islwyn Evans and accompanied by Stephen Pilkington, they performed 'Mabonogi', composed by Mererid Hopewood and Hector McDonald and based on Welsh legends.

This piece was forwarded by the Kilkenny Choir and Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Philip Edmondson and Karl Rochford.

                                         


Lund Symphonic Band
Tuesday, 11th April 8pm FREE CONCERT

The Lund Symphonic Band is a wind orchestra from Sweden with between 50 to 60 musicians, aged between 14 and 20 years old. LSB have toured throughout Europe and have won First Prize in the 2001 annual Youth Orchestra Festival in Neerpelt, Belgium as well as First Prize in concerclass in Scamocin, Poland. Their conductor, Roger Andersson, was awareded a Gold Award at the same time.

The LSB presented a varied programme, including music with a "latino feeling";  the Festival March for HM the Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden (M. Janhagen); Pictures at an Exhibition (M. Moussorgsky); Raiders of the Lost Ark (J. Williams); Tune from Lastringe (Trad.); Phantom of the Opera and Jesus Christ Superstar (Lloyd Webber) and many more well-loved pieces.

Waterford Male Voice Choir
Sunday, 2nd April 12noon. Tickets €5 / €10 family

Since its foundation in 2001, WMVC has flourished in terms of its membership, performance and repertoire. The Choir has performed widely in concerts and competitions in Waterford and the South East, including the Arklow and AIMS music festivals. During 2005, they performed in the Tall Ships Race and in Wales, for their first concert outside Ireland. Due to the success of this concert, the Choir will return on Wales in 2006. Accompanied by Sinead Dempsey and under the musical direction of Niall Crowley.

March 2006

Jimmy O'Brien Moran, Uilleann Pipes
Sunday, 26th March 12noon. Tickets €5 / €10 family

The Cathedral was delighted to welcome back Tramore-based piper Jimmy O'Brien Moran. A former members of Scullion, he has been playing pipes for more that thirty years and has travelled throughout Europe, North America and New Zealand, where he performs, teaches the pipes and lectures on Irish music. He released a solo CD in 1996 and frequently features on radio and television. His style is rooted in the heart of the piping tradition and is much influenced by the music of Willie Clancy and Seamus Ennis. His pipes, made by Colgan (c.1825) were presented to him by the late Sean Reid of Ennis, Co. Clare.

Antionette Baker, Organ   Julie O'Sullivan, Vocalist
Sunday, 5th March 12 noon. Tickets €5 / €10 family

   A graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, Antoinette Baker also ha an M.A. in Interpretation and Performance (Organ) from St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, andan F.T.C.L. She studied organ with Peter Sweeney at the College of Music, Dublin. Antoinette has performed at various venues in Ireland, including Galway Cathedral; St. Finn Barre's Cathedral, Cork; Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin; St. Michael's Church, Dun Laoghaire and the National Concert Hall. For five years, from the age of 18, Antoinette was organist at St. Aidan's Cathedral, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, but now is organist at St. Peter's Church, Bandon. Antoinette teaches piano with the County Cork School of Music (V.E.C.) and often accompanies singers, choirs and instrumentalists for exams, competitions and concerts. She was accompanied by Julie Baker, an Hons BMus graduate of UCC who is currently a vocal student of Bob Beare. She will sing pieces by Boyce, Handel and Head.
 

FEBRUARY 2006

Kadin Sarkilari, Early music from Andalucia to Baghdad
Friday, 17th February, 8pm Tickets €12, €10
                                                                                                                          

The audience was entranced by an intoxicating combination of vocals, harps, lutes and percussion. Kadin Sarkilari performed an eclectic blend of anonymous Sephardic melodies, harem songs and troubadour canso and descort of the medieval Mediterranean world. Giving voice to the songs first sung by real-life Sheherazades from Andalucia to Baghdad, the ensemble featured Gislea Bellsola (vocals), Anges Agopian (quanun), Anello Capuano (oud, saz and percussion) and Guy Robert (lute and harp).

"...a subtle blend of the sophisticataed rules of 'written' music and of age-old folk orality".
Diapson

                                                                                             Chester Beatty Library

Vanessa & Caroline Sadlier
Sunday 5th February, 12 noon   Tickets €5, €10 family

Waterford based soprano sisters Vanessa & Caroline Sadlier have recently released twocds, one of Celtic & Irish music and one of Sacred & Church pieces.  Vanessa has studiedmusic at Waterford Institute of Technology, and at Trinity College & the Conservatory of Music Dublin.  She performs regularly as soprano soloist in oratorio, opera, recitals and concerts and has worked with Opera Ireland and many well known choral groups.  Caroline studied singing at Waterford Institute of Technology and has won many competitions including the Fintan O'Carroll senior singing competition and a Gold Medal from the Royal Irish Academy of Music.  They sang a varied programme of light classical and popular pieces including classical Irish song and Sacred pieces. 

Beatrix Hermann, Organ   Stefan Knust, Cello
New Music Week
Monday 6th February, 3pm
Pre-performance talk - admittance free
Monday 6th February, 8 pm   Tickets €10, €6

German organist Beatrix Hermann has studied music in Dublin, London and Germany and performed solo-recitals in Ireland, Germany and France.  She has made recordings and been broadcast across Europe specialising in performances of contemporary music. She was joined by German cellist Stefan Knust. 

JANUARY 2006

Slide

Saturday 21st January, 8 pm    Tickets €15, €12

Playing with dexterous ease and playful exuberance Slide are the living proof of how innovation need not compromise tradition.  Having recorded two well acclaimed albums; The Flying Pig and Harmonic Motion Slide are just about to start on a third release which they hope to be out in mid 2006.

"Slide... the future of Irish traditional music"  Myles Dungan   Radio 1

DECEMBER 2005

Civic Carol Service
Sunday 18th December, 4 pm   No Admission Fee

Waterford's most popular carol service featured Christ Church
Cathedral Choir and City of Waterford Brass accompanying
favourite carols. 

City of Waterford Brass and Thomas Francis Meagher Fife & Drum Band
Saturday 10th December, 8 pm   Tickets €8

Two of Waterford's bands joined together for the first time, directed by Julie Quinlan.  The programme included popular classics and Christmas themed music.  City of Waterford Brass was established in 1932 and were delighted to welcome the Thomas Francis Meagher Fife & Drum Band to join them for their first concert ever together.

Ariel Hernandez & Dermot Dunne
Sunday 4th December, 12 noon   Tickets €5, €10 family

Buenos Aires native Ariel Hernandez and Ireland's leading classical accordionist Dermot Dunne played an hour long 'coffee concert'.  They invited the audiece to hear Ariel's compositions, the rough hewn folk style of Northern Argentina known as chacarera and the mysterious tango from Buenos Aires, to which the inspired playing of Dunne will provide a superb counterpoint.

NOVEMBER 2005

Kiernan Quartet
Tuesday 29th November 8 pm Tickets €15 / €10 concession

The Helsinki-based classical flute & string trio combination made its debut tour to Ireland this winter. They played works by Crussell, Mozart, Beethoven adn Sibelius, which were all intended as Christmas gifts by the composers. The Kiernan Quartet was formed during Summer 2005 to revie a body of classical repertoire that has largely been lost from the performance stage during the last century. The members have worked closely in the post in various chamber ensembles in Finland adn decided to create a quartet that would bring this music to a greater public in an energetic and enthusiastic manner. Francis Kiernan (flute) is an Irish musician who has studied at WIT Ireland, Conservatoire de Musique de Geneve and privately with Julius Baker before coming to Helsinki to complete a PhD in performance at the request of the Finnish Academy and under the tutelage of Patrick Gallois.

Marjaana Holva (violin) has been one of the founding members of the world renowned Tempera Quartet, and has recently toured Japan, Spain and France with Sinfonia Finlandia. She has studied at both Sibelius Academy and Melbourne Conservatory. Lotta Poijarvi (viola) holds the principal viola position at the Finnish National Opera. With an active orchestral and chamber music career she is in much demand both in Finland and abroad. Having studied at Sibelius Academy and various institutions throughout Europe she has gained a reputation for her passion energetic performance adn uncompromising attention to stylistic detail. Markus Hohti (cello) is an accomplished chamber musician whose freelance peroformance career sees him working regularly for Avanti!, YLE (Finnish National Broadcaster) and iwth EU ensembles. He has studied at Sibelius Academy and Basel Conservatory.

The quartet also played a school's concert as part of Christ Church Cathedral's music education programme.  Supported by Waterford City Council.

Grace Project Fundraiser; WIT Traditional Music Group
Sunday 27th November, 12 noon Tickets €5, €10 family

This concert of traditional music coincided with '16 Days of Action Against Violence Against Women', part of a global campaign for women's rights. It also marked the beginning of Grace: a series of events celebrating the 21st anniversary of Waterford Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre and the courage of those who sought help and healing through its services. At the core of these events was an exhibition of original art at The Granary, Waterford, opening Dcember 3rd.

The performers for the event are all students on the BA in Music in WIT, Laura Butler (flute), Catherine Horgan (fiddle), Karen Johnston (accordion), Deirdre McDonald (concertina & accordion) and Mark Robinson (guitar).

Service of Advent Carols & Readings
Sunday 27th November, 8 pm    No Admission Fee

To usher in the Christmas season all were welcomed to join with the Christ Church Cathedral Choir for a programme of carols and readings on an advent theme.

Windmill Project Fundraiser; Madrigallery & Sweeney Toddlers
Sunday 13th November, 12 midday Tickets €5, €10 family

The chamber choir Madrigallery was founded twelve years ago and has been very successful in competition having won top awards at choral festivals in Cork, Sligo, Navan and at AIMS Choral Festival. The choir's repetoire includes music from the 16th century right through to today. Sweeney Toddlers are a barbershop quintet formed in 2003. They performed for the first time earlier this year at the New Ross Festival and at Waterford Sings. Proceeds of this concert went to the Windmill Arts Project. Supported by Network Ireland.

FESTIVAL OF ORGAN MUSIC
CELEBRATING CHRIST CHURCH CATEHDRAL, PAST PRESENT & FUTURE
Friday 4th November to Sunday 6th November

 
Festival weekend tours
The Cathedral was open to visitors over the festival weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am - 1 pm & 2 - 5 pm on Saturday, and midday to 5 pm on Sunday. There were tours each day at 3 pm. Admission and tours were free of charge.

Festival weekend education

'This was just brilliant, all the children and I were totally engrossed.  It was very interesting, informative and we heard lovely organ music - as a teacher I could not look for more.'  Teacher, Gaelscoil na nDeise

The festival education programme included cathedral tours and organ workshops for local primary school children, a masterclass with Johan Hermans for organ students from around the country and composition erformances by local secondary school students.  Some feedback comments were:

Anders Johnsson
Friday 4th November, 8 pm Tickets €10, €6 concession

Swedish organist Anders Johnsson has pursued organ studies under Per Ryden, Hans Hellsten, Mikael Wahlin and Jean Boyer, as well as in the master's calss at the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen led by Hans Fagius. Christ Church Cathedral was delighted to welcome Anders for his debut concert in Ireland. His concert programme included Swedish pieces by Lindberg and Rinck.  This recital was kindly supported by the Swedish Embassy.

School's Concert
Saturday 5th November, 12 midday  No Admission Fee

Organist Cecilia Keogh worked with secondary school music students to compose a piece of music to be arranged and played for organ at this informal 'coffee concert'.

Johan Hermans
Saturday 5th November, 8 pm Tickets €10, €6 concession

Signalling another Irish debut performance, Belgian organist Johan Hermans played a programme including music by Debussy, Bach and Belgian composer Peeters. Johan Hermans teaches organ performance and chamber music at the Music Conservatory of Hasselt (Belgium). He has studied at the Lemmens Institute in Louvain and the Royal Conservartory of Liege. His activity as an organist and lecturer has taken him across Europe, the UK, the USA, Russia, South America and Japan.

Ecumenical Service
Sunday 6th November, 11 am  

All were welcomed to an ecumenical service with readings by members of different religious communities, popular hymns and choral music for organ and choir, including music by Brahms and Haydn led by the Christ Church Cathedral choir.

Silent Movie Special
Sunday 6th November, 8 pm Tickets €5

The era of silent cinema was brought back to life with this screening of the silent classic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.  The film was accompanied by an improvised score for organ by composer and Christ Church organist Eric Sweeney, bringing the festival weekend to a close.   

OCTOBER 2005

Maighread & Triona Ni Dhomhnaill
Saturday 29th October, 8 pm  Tickets €18, €15

'beautiful haunting resonance, lyrical singing....excellent stuff'   The Munster Express 11th November 2005

"Sisters in song with heart gripping voices and distinct timbre" The Irish Times

"Former Bothy Band singer Tiona Ni Dhomhnaill combines with her sister Maighread to form what is perhaps the most stunning Irish singing that can be heard today." The Boston Globe

Sisters Maighread and Triona Ni Dhomhnaill belong to one of the most renowned singing families of the Donegal Gaeltacht. The unique style and repertoire of traditional singing, which they represent so gloriously, comes down to them through generations of the O Domhnaill family. Originally this kind of traditional singing described as 'sean nos', literally 'old style' was sung unaccompanied and was melodic. Maighread and Triona are among the finest of the younger generation of traditional singers who continue to sing in the old way. Added to this is their distinctive unison and harmonic interpretations of Donegal songs and their fluent and accomplished singing to instrumental accompaniment. Their live performances are unforgettable heart rending events marked by high tides of emotion running on both sides of the stage. The sound of their solo and combined voices is indescribable but lingers in the memory forever. No opportunity to hear them should be missed. The listener will be enriched immeasurably by the experience.

William Dowdall & John Feeley
Flute & Guitar
Saturday 15th October, 8 pm Tickets €12, €10

Dublin born William Dowdall combines a busy career as a soloist, chamber musician and teacher with his duties as Principal Flute with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), RTE Concert Orchestra and the Irish Chamber Orchestra, he has given solo performances in Europe, USA, China and New Zealand. John Feeley has been described by the Washington Post as 'Ireland's leading classical guitarist' and by Michael Dervan in the Irish Times as 'a trailblazer... when it comes to the guitar and guitar-playing in Ireland'. In addition to solo and chamber concerts he has performed widely with numerous orchestras including the American Symphony Orchestra. William Dowdall and John Feeley are highly regarded for their performances of new works by Irish composers. Their programme will include world premiers by Ian Wilson and Eric Sweeney as well as works by Gragnani, Schubert and Paganini.

Coffee Concert, Bridget O'Connell & Dylan Bible
Fiddle & Guitar
Sunday 2nd October, 12 noon   Tickets €5, €10 family
Bridget O'Connell is from Thurles and was taught by the renowned fiddle player Kathleen Nesbitt.  She went on to do a music degree at WIT and an MA in Performance in traditional music in the University of Limerick.  She teaches both classical and traditional music in cork and Waterford and performs regularly in the Waterford area.  Dylan Bible is well known to Waterford audiences and is adept at a great diversity of guitar styles including traditional and jazz.  He completed a degree in jazz music at the University of Leeds in 1999 and currently lectures at WIT.

SEPTEMBER 2005

RTE Vanbrugh Quartet
Thursday 29th September, 8 pm   Tickets €15, €12 concession

The RTE Vanbrugh Quartet begins its first tour of the 2005-2006 season in Waterford with a programme including Beethoven's melodic and dramatic Op. 18 No. 6 quartet, Debussy's exotic and atmospheric Quartet in G minor, and Queen's University Belfast Professor, Piers Hellawell's recent 'Driftwood on Sand' quartet.  With over twenty years experience performing in Ireland, the Quartet has sustained the reputation as being, as The Sunday Business Post described, 'one of the most dynamic and popular string quartets on the circuit', its diverse repertoire having received accolades world-wide.

Micheal O'Siadhail, Eric Sweeney & musicians
Poetry & Music
Saturday 24th September, 8 pm   Tickets €10, €7
    
Micheal O'Siadhail's new book 'Love Life' is published by Bloodaxe this September (2005).  Among his many books are 'The Gossamer Wall', 'Our Double Time' and 'Poems 1975 - 1995'.  His award-winning work has been translated to several languages, including Japanese and German.  He has read and broadcast his poetry widely in Ireland, Britain, Europe, North America and Japan.  Musicians will play original work by Eric Sweeney for multiple keyboards.  Sweeney began composing in the late 1960s.  As well as many commissions form several important organizations and festivals his music represented Ireland at the International Rostrum of Composers in Paris on five occasions.  His works have been broadcast on many European networks as well as in the USA and Canada.

Coffee Concert, Stephen Mackey & Cecilia Keogh
Clarinet & Organ
Sunday 4th September, 12 noon   Tickets €5, €10 family
Stephen Mackey is a native of Kerry but completed his degree and MA in performance at Waterford Institute of Technology where he now teaches.  He performs regularly in various ensembles on both saxophone and clarinet playing in a wide variety of styles including jazz and classical.  Cecilia Keogh began studying music as a child in London and later studied at the Cork School of Music and UCC.  In 2001 she graduated with a Masters Degree in Church Music from the University of Michigan, USA.

AUGUST 2005

Peter Sweeney, Music for Organ - Summer Series
Sunday 21st August, 6 pm   Tickets €5
Peter Sweeney delighted his audience with work by Sibelius, Guilmant, Dupre and Bruckner. Peter is an organ soloist of international standing.  He has given recitals throughout Europe, North America & Canada and performs & records regularly with the National Symphony Orchestra and the RTE Concert Orchestra.  He recently played the opening concert for the Kenneth Jones Organ at the conservatory of Fang Zhuang in Beijing. 

Peter Barley, Music for Organ - Summer Series
Sunday 14th August, 6 pm   Tickets €5
Peter Barley played a magnificent programme of Germanic Organ Music from Mendelssohn to Hindemith for his Christ Church Cathedral recital.  Peter Barley studied music at Oxford and Cambridge and was a postgraduate student at the Royal Academy of Music, London.  He is currently Organist and Master of the Choristers at Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.  Prior to this he was Director of Music at St. Marylebone, London and recorded three cds with the choir there.  As an organist, Barley has appeared at many major venues, including Westminister Cathedral and Saint Paul's Cathedral.

Irish Guitar Trio
Friday 12th August, 8 pm   Tickets €10, €7 concession

The Irish Guitar Trio is a new and exciting group featuring the guitarists Brendan Walsh, Ciaran Rosney and Keith O'Donnell.  The trio plays a wide variety of music including contemporary, classical, Spanish and Irish traditional.  Hailing from all parts of the country the trio's members are all competition winners and boast tuition from some of the world's best guitarists.  Check out www.irishguitartrio.com for more information.  For their Waterford performance they played music by Vivaldi, Haydn, Albeniz, de Falla, Hindemith, Chadwick and Koshkin.

Coffee Concert, Regina Hanley & Eric Sweeney
Voice & Organ
Sunday 7th August, 12 noon   Tickets €5, €10 family

Soprano, Regina Hanley has worked with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Welsh National Opera, Glyndebourne Opera, Scottish Opera, English National Opera and many opera companies here in Ireland; Opera Ireland, Wexford Festival Opera adn Opera Theatre Company.  Hanley is a founder member of PrimaDiva who recently released their cd 'The Only Sound'.  Eric Sweeney will accompany on organ.

JULY 2005

Eric Sweeney, Music for Organ - Summer Series
Sunday 24th July, 6 pm   Tickets €5

Eric Sweeney brought excitement to a dismally wet summer evening on Sunday July 24th.  His organ playing is always a joy and add to this his own composition 'The Bright Seraphim' and you had an occasion of fireworks and pleasure.'
Liam Murphy, Munster Express, 5th August 2005

Eric Sweeney studied organ in Belgium and Italy and has given recitals all over Europe and North America.  In 2003 he released a cd of original choral & organ music recorded on teh Cathedral's Elliot-Jones organ ' handled with compositional imagination, flair and skill'.  He performed a recital of French romantic music.

Mark Keane, Music for Organ - Summer Series
Sunday 17th July, 6 pm   Tickets €5
Mark Keane has studied music in Dublin, Limerick, London and Amserdam and is currently organist at the Church of Christ the King, Galway.  He has won many prizes for organ performance and has performed extensively throughout Europe, Australia and the US.  For his performance on the Cathedral's Elliot-Jones organ Mark played works by Bach.

Irish Youth Choir
Friday 8th July, 8 pm
Tickets €12 adult, €10 concession, €36 family ticket

The two sections of Marion Ingoldsby's work that we heard had a glorious resonance and section two - 'White Bird' has a thrilling repeating line of 'Rise, Beautiful Emblem of Purity! Rise' that sent shivers of anticipation down my spine... The Waterford Larks and Waterford Boys Singers under baton of Niall Crowley delighted a capacity audience with wonderful confident work.
Liam Murphy, Munster Express, 15th July 2005

To mark the Tall Ships visit to Waterford, the Irish Youth Choir performed the world premier of Where Birds & Angels Dwell, a commission for mixed voice choir and piano by Marian Ingoldsby, celebrating the shared vocal, sea and cultural traditions of Newfoundland, Canada and Ireland. Since 1982 young singers between the ages of 17 and 29 years have secured their places annually with the Irish Youth choir through nation-wide auditions, forming a large mixed-voice choir of the best young Irish voices. Over the last 22 years and under the baton of founder-conductor Geoffrey Spratt, the IYC has performed with professional soloists and orchestras in all of Ireland's leading concert halls. For the IYC's performance at Christ Church Ciara Moroney accompanied on piano. The programme  included Songs from Lyonnesse by Gerard Victory and songs from the Waterford Larks and Waterford Boys Choir. The concert was recorded by Lyricfm for broadcast as part of the Lyric Concert series on Thursdays at 9 pm.

JUNE 2005

Braemsnaes Choir
Tuesday 28th June, 1 pm
Admission Free

Christ Church Cathedral was delighted to welcome The Braemsnaes Choir from the island of Zealand in Denmark. They are a forty voice adult choir and their repertoire includes ballads, folk music, gospel and church music and African American spirituals. They have previously toured to Luxembourg, France and Germany and this was their first visit to Ireland.  The group also sang at Waterford Regional Hospital as part of the Healing Sounds programme.

Coyote Mountain Suzuki Strings
Saturday 18th June, 8 pm
Admission free
The Coyote Mountain Suzuki Strings come from Tulsa Oklahoma and consist of violin and viola students ranging in age from 4 years to adult directed by Karen Harmon and Jody Naifeh. The programme was classical and begins at the level of the youngest who plays Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. The performance included the Bach Minuets, Dvorak's Humoresque, Vivaldi Concerto, and the Bach Double Concerto. The advanced orchestral performance was the Gustav Holst St. Paul's Suite Jig and Finale.  The group also gave a performance in Waterford Regional Hospital as part of the Waterford Healing Arts Trust programme.

Coffee Concert
Kilkenny Chamber Orchestra
Sunday 5th June, 12 noon
Tickets €5, €10 family ticket (includes coffee)
Founded by its director, Richard Nicholls three years ago the Kilkenny Chamber Orchestra is an amateur orchestra numbering some thirty players. It has a wide variety of repertoire, ranging from Bach to Britten, and Handel to Trimble, including premieres of new works. Through weekly rehearsals the orchestra gives three concerts a year and has performed with a number of local choirs, including a tour to Paris with the Kilkenny Choir. The coffee concert programme included Mozart's Symphony No. 25 in G Minor and Barber's Adagio for Strings.

MAY 2005

Guinness Choir
Musical Director: David Milne
with Peter Sweeney on organ
Saturday 28th May, 8 pm
Tickets €15, €12 concession
The Guinness Choir from Dublin was formed in 1951 by Victor Leeson. Originally called the St James's Gate Musical Society, it soon established itself as one of Ireland's leading choirs. Its repertoire includes a wide range of choral music, mostly oratorio, from the 16th century to the present day. Recent performances have included works by Berlioz, Bach, Stravinsky and Verdi. This programme features two canticles by Britten and his setting of the extraordinary poem "Jubilate Agno" by Christopher Smart and the exuberant "Messa di Gloria" by the youthful Puccini. Soloists are Paula Greenwood : Soprano, Tanya Sewell: Contralto, Andrew Boushell : Tenor, Eoin Supple: Bass. The choir is very much looking forward to the concert, the performance will be repeated in Dublin's Pro-Cathedral on the following evening.

ADHOC
Wednesday 25th May, 1 pm, Admission Free
Ad Hoc is a mixed voice choir of sixteen singers from Waterford city, originally brought together by Pamela Harrison. Their premier performance was in Christ Church Cathedral in April 2004. They have since gone on to win at the AIMS Chamber Choir Festival in New Ross in May 2004 and to perform for Kilkenny's Celtic Music Festival in October 2004. The chorale will sing a selection from their repertoire including some religious music, arrangements of Irish music and some easy listening. This concert is part of the City Council Arts Office Artbyte series, offering free Wednesday lunchtime concerts at venues around the city through the summer.

Symphonic Wind Orchestra Vorspessart
Tuesday 17th May, 8 pm
Tickets €10, €7 concession
The visit of the sixty strong German Vorspessart Symphonic Wind Orchestra to Christ Church Cathedral was a glorious evening of virtuoso playing and crowd-pleasing music.
Liam Murphy, Munster Express, 27th May

The Symphonic Wind Orchestra from south west Germany and their guests City of Waterford Brass intend to raise the roof of the Cathedral. The Orchestra, conducted by Harald Krebs, is composed of sixty five musicians dedicated to promoting modern symphonic wind music. . City of Waterford Brass was established in 1932 and will celebrate its 75th birthday in 2007. The group visited Germany in 1987 and 1997 and on those trips established links with musicians from Symphonic Wind Orchestra Vorspessart. The Cathedral is delighted to welcome the orchestra to the city on this their first tour of Ireland.

Coffee Concert
Cecilia Keogh
Sunday 1st May, 12 noon
Tickets €5, €10 family ticket (includes coffee)
Organist Cecilia Kehoe studied at the Cork School of Music where she achieved first place in her class in piano performance and graduated with a diploma in Piano Teaching in 1989. She was Organ Scholar at St. Finbarr's Cathedral in Cork graduating from the B. Mus. from UCC in 1997. In 2001 she graduated with a Masters Degree in Music from the University of Michigan, USA. Her coffee concert programme will included J. S. Bach, Fantasia and Fugue in G minor; Franz Liszt, Prelude nad Fugue on B.A.C.H. and Noel Rawsthorne, Hornpipe Humeresque.

APRIL 2005

Coffee Concert
WIT Traditional Music Group
Sunday 3rd April, 12 noon
Tickets €5, €10 family ticket (includes coffee)
For those who enjoyed Comhaltas Ceoltoiri's concert in March, more traditional airs will fill the cathedral in April with the WIT Traditional Music Group. The group was formed in 1999 and comprises full-time students of the Institute. Since its inception the group has performed at many events including the Aberdeen International Youth Festival; Tional an tSamhraidh, Dungarvan and the UCC Tradfest. The group currently rehearses under the direction of Bridget O'Connell, Lecturer in Music at WIT.

MARCH 2005

Coffee Concert
Craobh Cathair Phortláirge
Sunday 6th March, noon
Tickets €5, €10 family ticket (includes coffee)
All the members of this young group are members of Craobh Cathair Phortláirge, the Waterford branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann, which was founded in 1951 to promote Irish traditional music, song and dance. Nóra Kavanagh is teacher and musical director of the group and has won all Ireland medals on piano and flute. She completed her Masters in Music performance and research at W.I.T. in 2001. The group, all of whom are aged between 12 and 19 years have been performing together for the past two years. Their most recent performance was at St. David's Cathedral Wales as part of the Artswave project. The programme will include traditional dance tunes alongside more contemporary pieces composed by Charlie Lennon, Michael Rooney and Nóra Kavanagh.

Gerard Gillen & Eamonn Nolan
Organ & Trumpet
Thursday 10th March, 8 pm
Tickets €12
Waterford Music Club present an evening of organ and trumpet with Gerard Gillen and Eamonn Nolan. Gerard Gillen is widely regarded as one of Ireland's leading church and concert organists. A First Class Honours graduate of University College, Dublin, Oxford University and the Royal Conservatoire of Music, Antwerp, Professor Gillen has an international reputation as an organ recitalist and has given over 700 recitals throughout Europe and America. Eamonn Nolan began playing trumpet in the Rathfarnham Concert Band before studying for five years at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. Now working as a freelance trumpet player based in Dublin, Eamonn enjoys a varied musical life, appearing with the NSOI, RTECO, Orchestra of St Cecilia, Opera Theatre Company and many other groups.

Waterford Combined Schools Choir
Jerusalem Joy
Tuesday 22nd March, 8 pm
Tickets €5, €10 family ticket
The Waterford City Schools Choir was born through the efforts of the City to give a worthy welcome to Malta on the Day of Accession to the EU on May 1 2004 and continues as a choir set aside to celebrate special occasions in the city's annual calendar. It is drawn from several schools across the city, under the patronage of the Office of the Mayor and the Catholic and Church of Ireland Bishops of Waterford, conducted by Cormac O'Duffy. For Easter week, the choir will perform Roger Jones' 'Jerusalem Joy'.

Waterford City Choir
Stainer's Crucifixion
Thursday 24th March, 8 pm
Admission Free
The Waterford City Choir was founded in 1993 by Ann Barry. It now numbers over thirty members who come from both the city and county of Waterford. Brian Brown took over directorship of the choir in 2003 and they return to Christ Church to perform Stainer's Crucifixion. John Stainer (1840 - 1901) wrote the work, an oratorium on Easter and the Passion, in 1887. Composer and organist Eric Sweeney will accompany the choir.

Reedley College Orchestra
Saturday 26th March, 8 pm
Admission Free
The Reedley College Orchestra come from the Central Valley of California. The members are a combination of professional musicians, college students and community musicians. The orchestra is conducted by Colleen M. Snyder who has taught instrumental and choral music in colleges and universities in the states of California and Washington. The performance will feature music of both European and American composers.

FEBRUARY 2005

Colm McDonagh
Classical Guitar Coffee Concert
Sunday 6th February, noon
Tickets €5, €10 family ticket (includes coffee)
Classical guitarist Colm McDonagh is a final year BA Music student at WIT where he studies guitar with Michael O'Toole. Previously he was an award winning student at Walton's New School of Music where he was taught by David Hennessy. He has attended master classes with world class virtuosos such as Juan Martin, Carols Bonell and John Williams. His programme includes music by Scarlatti, Bach and Albeniz.