Carina Ferguson of Caritas, Enniskillen Chamber Choir during the choirs recording for BBC RMGFH43
In just over six months Caritas, a local choral group, has made quite an impression.
This new group of singers and musicians have gone from strength to strength and added many more musical strings to theie bow in a very short space of time.
Their hard work, not to mention the beautiful sound they create, caught the ear of John Anderson and his BBC Radio Ulster programme ‘Sing Out’, who recorded the choir performing at St Michael’s College recently.
The programme airs on Sunday evenings at 6:30 with two shows left in the current series. The line up for the rest of the series has not yet been finalised but the recording with Caritas will be aired on Tuesday June 2 at 7.30pm.
The choir is made up of local singers and musicians and is able to perform a varied programme. As well as talented solo vocalists there is a brass ensemble and a traditional Irish group as well. This blend of styles gives Caritas a unique appeal.
One choir member, Clare Teague, spoke about the ‘laid back and relaxed atmosphere and feel’ that there is to the group.
“I think everyone is involved because of their love of the music. But there is great banter too and the whole experience is very social. We have all worked very hard in rehearsal and it was fantastic that we got a chance to record for the BBC. Everyone gets on so well and it is a very happy group,” Clare said.
Another important factor of the group was touched upon by another member, Eamon McCaffrey, who explained that; “we have in excess of forty members, with a diverse age range of some sixty-five years. This blend of youth and experience has produced an infectious sense of vitality and vibrancy, which is quite unique, and makes practising a joyful social experience.”
The group has really come on leaps and bounds in the last six months and its repertoire has really grown. Together with many much loved liturgical works, Caritas have a wide range of secular music from theatre and films, and a growing selection of Traditional Irish songs and ballads.
The Choir was born out of a love for music but the group also have a serious purpose and that is it to raise money for charity. The name was picked with that very ideal in mind. Caritas is a latin word, meaning ‘love for all’ and the group has already been invited to perform in public to raise funds for charity, including a concert for the local Friends of Cancer Centre group which was held in Enniskillen Golf Club.
The Choral Director, Helen Hamill has been full of praise of the group since its inception in late 2014.
“It started off with a few friends wanting to sing around Christmas time and it has just grown from there.
“There is a real genuine attitude in the group. I have to chase them home at the end of practices. They are always there when you need them and just love working together. I am really excited by what has happened with Caritas to date and even more excited about what the future might hold,” Helen revealed.
For more information on Caritas please visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/enniskillenchamberchoir