St. Andrew's Parish Choir
The History of the Choir
Since the foundation of the Church in 1834, there has been a choir in St. Andrew's. This Male Voice Choir consisted of boy sopranos, tenors and basses. It was noted for its Feis Ceoil Winners- for example Brendan Kelly won the Denis O'Sullivan Medal in 1971. Its members included such famous personalities as Dr. David Thornley, Statemean and author, and Louis O'Brien, director and organist.
The choir thrived until the 1970's when numberes dwindled and the directior Brendan Kelly made an inspired decision to form a four-part group, comprising Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass. With the addition of women to the choir, who were mainly ex-pupils of the Convent of Mercy School, Baggot Street, the choir grew from strength to strength, winning the Dublin Choral Festival cup four years in a row in the 1980s.
Today's Choir
Today's dedicated members include one of Ireland's leading sopranos, Kathryn Smith, who has been a member since her teens. The choir are especially privileged that Kathryn still finds time for them, even with her hectic schedule.
The members have a common love of Latin Masses and motets, and sing everything from William Lloyd Webber's Missa Pacis to Mozart's Laudate Dominum. Their hard work and commitment is evident in their celebration of Mass each week and in their repertoire. Their vast archive of music means that it can sometimes be years before they repeat a piece of music.
The choir regularly sing on RTE's Radio Mass. They are especially busy in December when they perform for the patients and staff of the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital and at the opening of the Christmas Lights in Dublin City Centre.
Since 1999 they have travelled extensively, singing at Masses from St. Andrew's Church in Rome to St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. The New York Trip included a visit to Carnegie Hall to see Kathryn Smith sing in the show The Irish Ring.
In 2002 the choir, after the sad, untimely, death of Brendan Kelly, got a new Director- Jean Monahan. She has the privalege of being the first female director of the choir.
The choir sing at 11.30am mass every Sunday and rehearse on Thursdays at 8pm. New members are always welcome, simply come and meet us after mass.