An evening of choral favourites to delight music fans at the Sacred Heart Church

AN evening of choral favourites is sure to delight music fans at the Sacred Heart Church, Omagh, tomorrow night (Thursday).

Starting at 8pm Chamber Choir West – under the direction of conductor, Dr David Baxter, formerly from Omagh – will headline the event, which will also feature many local singers.

Organised by Omagh Rotary Club proceeds from the event will be split between the Sacred Heart Church Organ Fund, the Chamber Choir West and Rotary charities.

The talented Chamber Choir West was originally formed as a quartet back in 2018. Quite soon, it became an octet and slowly grew until its current strength of five sopranos, five altos, four tenors and four basses and founded by David Baxter.

The choir’s name comes from the fact that its membership draws from Belcoo in south Fermanagh to Sion Mills and as far east as Ballygawley. Most of the members live in the Omagh and Enniskillen areas.

“Where possible, the choir sing all their repertoire a capella, which is very demanding but opens up great doorways for wonderful music,” said the conductor.

Thursday night’s programme is mainly classical but the choir has a broad repertoire. The concert features music by Palestrina, Bruckner, Lauridsen and the stunning 'The Deer's Cry' by Arvo Part.

Other pieces include Gawthorpe's 'Sing me to heaven', Clausen's 'Set me a seal' and Stephen Paulus' 'The Road Home', which features local soprano Laura McFall.

Choir plans for the future include a concert in The Basillica on Lough Derg and a trip to Windsor to sing in Windsor Castle.

Also featuring in the Omagh concert is the highly acclaimed violinist, Yolanda Brannigan, who is a 15-year-old pupil at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School. She has just joined The Ulster Youth Orchestra.

In addition to that, she is a choral scholar in Enniskillen Cathedral and is a very active musician locally. Her family are orginally from The Ukraine. Yolanda Brannigan will be accompanied by local music teacher, Mrs Bernie Devlin.

Also sure to delight the audience will be the Christian Brothers’ Grammar School, Omagh, senior choir, who will render a variety of pieces.

The Loreto Traditional Trio, who are all current pupils at Loreto Grammar School, Omagh, will also be performing having been involved in All Ireland Traditional Championships in recent years.

They also perform regularly around Omagh.

“So come along for a wonderful concert of beautiful uplifting choral music and more,” said Rotary club president, John Campbell, himself a talented musician. “Admission is only £10 for adults with school children free and everyone is very welcome.”

Earthquake Appeal

Meanwhile, the club is continuing to extend the hand of kindness to the devastated people of Turkey/Syria following the heart-breaking earthquake which left so many homeless and without any possessions.

Through donations from club members and generous support of the public at fundraising activities the club has now raised over £3,000 for the disaster fund which will help send more thermal lined tents, warm blankets and other essential items to the stricken areas.