January date for choir's Carnegie Hall appearance

BY JACKIE KEOGH

WEST Cork Choral Singers have been invited to perform in New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall in January as part of a ‘choir of distinction.’

Under the musical directorship of Diana Llewellyn, the group have been invited to participate in a performance of the music of Sir Karl Jenkins on Monday, January 15th.

A spokesperson for Distinguished Concerts International New York City (DCINY) said the performance in the Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall will be all the more special because it is scheduled to take place on Martin Luther King Day and will feature the world premiere of a new large work by Sir Karl Jenkins. 

Malcom Moon told The Southern Star: ‘These outstanding musicians will join with other choristers from around the world to form the Distinguished Concerts Singers International, a choir of distinction. 

‘Sir Karl Jenkins will be present as composer-in-residence with DCINY’s artistic director and principal conductor Jonathan Griffith as conductor of the performance and clinician for the residency.’ 

Dr Jonathan Griffith confirmed that the West Cork Choral Singers received the invitation because of ‘the quality and high level of musicianship demonstrated by the singers, as well as the exceptional quality of their audition recording.’ 

He said: ‘It is quite an honour just to be invited to perform in New York and these wonderful musicians will not only represent a high quality of music and education, but also become ambassadors for their entire community.’

The singers will spend five days and four nights in New York City in preparation for their concert. 

They will spend approximately ten hours in rehearsals over the five-day residency. 

Members of the community are encouraged to give financial support in sending these singers to New York by contacting Diana Llewellyn at  [email protected].