YOUNG ADULTS
The Irish Catholic, April 1, 2010
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Grainne Ni Chinneide, St
Joseph's Cluny, KillineyÐ
``Being in a massive group of
choir singers is great and I
like meeting everyone from
the other schools and getting
a chance to mix with so
many different people.''
Photo: Paul McGovern
Songs for a super-choir
John Lorigan, Belvedere
College, City centre Ð
``For
some of the songs you have
actions, and I would normally
be awkward about that, but
everyone is getting into the
spirit of it and enjoying it. It is
a really good atmosphere.''
More than 1,200 students from 40 secondary schools across the Archdiocese
of Dublin raised the roof in The Helix last week for the annual Emmanuel
concerts of liturgical music, writes
.
Mags Gargan
HERE
`T
schools.
i s
``It
draws
schools
something
from all different economic
magical that
backgrounds
h a p p e n s
tional
choirs
come
that stays with me is one of
together'', said Ian Callanan,
the kids from a posh school
the conductor of the Emma-
singing a duet with one of
nuel concert. ``The kids really
the
enthuse
and
school. Those two kids would
t he
never have had a chance to
learning loads of different
meet ,
songs for each type of
when
all
the
thems elve s,
tha t's
partly
choice
of
due
songs,
to
but
I'm
a
and
standards.
kids
from
let
educa-
An
a
alone
image
poorer
sing
t o-
gether.''
real believer in not pushing
tor
energy drive them forward.''
of
the
L i t u rg y
Ian and the team from the
Diocese
there are happy songs and
Resource
Ce n t r e ,
sad songs, and upbeat
agreed that Emmanuel is an
mission begin their prepara-
unique event. ``I just wish we
tions
could take it from here into
the
two
night
concerts in September, when
our
the music is sent around the
that energy and enthusiasm
schools
and
for
the
children
to
churches,
just
willingness
to
to
be
in-
volved. We widely circulate
gether to rehearse and take
the music at our seminars to
part
choirs and music groups, and
shops
``It
faith-based
in
Clonliffe
is a huge
work-
we
College.
are
more
undertaking,''
working
to
get
more
the
and
balance
Ian said. ``But I do it for the
between contemporary mu-
young people because I had a
sic and the more traditional
fantastic introduction to mu-
music. It was very interest-
sic through liturgical music,
ing to see the elegance and
so
something
simplicity of the plainchant
back to young people, then it
and the extraordinary liveli-
is well worth it for me.''
ness
if
I
For
can
give
Emma
Grainne
O'Regan
Kyne,
music
of
songs
like
Amen,
and
which came to us form the
tea-
Keralese Indian community,
chers in Hartstown Commu-
performed
nity School in Clonsilla, this
great
to
together.
see
all
songs, which are fun.''
have
learn, before they come to-
in
funerals, Lent and Easter. So
Dublin
Dublin diocesan music com-
for
``We are
Church celebration, like for
Fr Pat O'Donoghue, Direc-
them too much, in letting the
Lisa Heery, St Joseph's
College, Lucan Ð
It
is
styles
of
Shauna Hession, St Michael's Holy Faith, Finglas
Ð
``The whole event was or-
ganised really well. It shows
music sitting alongside each
you a different side to holy
part in the project. ``It's the
the kids,'' Emma said. ``The
year
services
hosted the show with Paula
other.''
music, it's not like singing in
fun
music wins them over. It also
and for graduation. As music
Sweeney, said Emmanuel is
life
gives us more resources that
teachers it's great!''
probably
in
we can use throughout the
www.litmus.dublindioce
se.ie
is
their
that
Bringing
and
fourth
time
brings
the
seeing
us
music
the
taking
back.
to
reaction
for
liturgical
Gerard Gallagher, who co-
the
biggest
non-
competitive music event for
a church at all. It's good
music, but it has a spiritual
side as well.''