Highly successful concert raises funds for Offaly Hospice

THE spectacular All Hallows Eve Concert organised to raise funds for Offaly Hospice last Friday night was a resounding success. In spite of the inclement weather and many other distractions, over 250 people flocked to the Church of the Assumption to be treated to a feast of beautiful music.

The program began with special guest, Bláithín Cotter on the organ playing Acclamations from Suite Mediévalé by French composer, Jean Langlais. This piece actually featured at the gala reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral.

Next up were Le Chéile singers with three haunting pieces: Anton Bruckner’s Locus Iste followed by Bobby McFerran’s setting of Psalm 23 and Ave Maria by Franz Biebl.

Bláithín turned to the violin for her next offering; the second movement from Prokofiev’s Sonata for solo violin.

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Le Chéile Singers followed with Stabat Mater by Vivaldi, Say Something by Pentatonix and Billy Joel’s Lullabye.

Back to the violin, and Bláithín treated us to the Allegro assai from Suite no. 3 by Johann Sebastian Bach.

Following Professor Humphrey O’Connor’s address, it was back to the Frobenius Organ for two short pieces by Irish born, Charles Villiers Stanford.

Next the Choir and organ combined for Mozart, Ave Verum Corpus and Bach’s Jesus bleibet meine freude.

Miss Cotter brought this great concert to a close on the organ with Bach’s renowned Toccata and fugue in D minor.

All the artists assembled on the altar for a final bow with Professor Humphrey presenting the special guest with a well deserved bouquet.

All then returned to the Parish Centre for well deserved cup of tea. The organisers would like to express their sincere thanks to all contributed to a wonderful night in aid of Offaly Hospice.

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