Glenlough Community Choir Annual Report (from September 2024 to end of June 2025)
The committee, Chairperson Elizabeth Anne Wasson, Secretary Ruth McBride, Treasurer Jimmy O'Neill, Kate Semple, Lisa Black, Ethel Simpson, Ann Tyler and Anne McCambridge the Music Director have met on Zoom 12 times since the last AGM.
This is a brief summary of the activities of the committee. The Music Director's report provides further details of the events.
Events
The Choir performed in a joint concert with The Route Singers, in Roseyards Presbyterian Church Hall, Stranocum on 15[th] November 2024.
The Christmas concert was held in the Church of Ireland in Glenarm on the 14[th] December 2024.
The Choir participated in the Annual Community Carol service held on the 15[th] December 2024 at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Carnlough
Glenlough Community Choir was then invited to perform at a Christmas Event on 20[th] December 2024 with the Lord Mayor in the Braid Arts Centre after a period of outdoor singing at the bandstand in Ballymena.
On 20[th] February we had an Open Mic night at the library in Carnlough which was well received with various pieces of entertainment.
24[th] March saw the choir attend BBC Sing! At the Ulster Hall, Belfast, which was recorded for BBC Radio Ulster. This was the biggest event the choir has taken part in to date, with over 700 singers performing.
On 24[th] April we held our Pick Me Up Day at The Braid. Funding was obtained through the Arts Council and Lottery fund which was used for this alongside the Broughshane Pick Me Up Choir.
On 4[th] May the choir attended a concert in Cushendun alongside harpist Grainne Mayer. This was a lovely intimate venue, which was new to the choir and in a different location to where we had performed on previous occasions.
To finish the year our Summer Concert was held on 14[th] June. This was a very enjoyable and successful evening. Anne is to be congratulated for continuing to develop and improve the skills of the choir, finding new venues and the choir reaching new levels this year.
AGM 19[th] June 2025
The choir has had another busy year, and the committee are to be congratulated for their hard work. These events would not run smoothly without them. Also thank you very much to all the choir members who are asked to provide donations towards raffles, baked items for refreshments for concerts etc. We all work together as a team and the Choir is thriving, growing and achieving more and more every year.
Future Plans
We already have our first concert booked for the new choir term. This is set to be on 17[th] October with the Mynyddislwyn Welsh Male Voice Choir. We plan to have our annual Christmas concert in December 2025, and again a Summer Concert in June 2026.
There are bound to be many other events, surprises and fun music making next year, so let’s look forward to whatever will be in store after the summer break.