On Sunday 21st May, the College Chapel of St Patrick’s College, Maynooth was filled with the choral sounds of the University of South Carolina Concert Choir under the direction of one of the world’s leading choral conductors Dr Larry Wyatt. This leading collegiate choir combined with the recently award winning Maynooth Education Campus Chamber Choir under their director Mr Jonathan Hanlon.  An evening of music from both the American and Irish traditions leaving some audience members enriched and some claiming it being, ‘a concert from which I departed feeling uplifted and happy.’

Upon their arrival at Maynooth College, the choir combined with members of the Maynooth University Chamber Choir for a two-hour long workshop in the College Chapel.  This was a great learning experience for both choirs to learn different warm-up and vocal techniques as well as an exchange of repertoire between both conductors.  After this, the USC Concert Choir enjoyed a tour on the history of the College grounds followed by an evening supper in Pugin Hall, the College Refectory.

Once the audience members were seated, the concert began with a performance given by the Maynooth Education Campus Chamber Choir.  The choir performed two pieces. The first piece was Kalinda by Sydney Guillaume and My God is a Rock composed by Moses Hogan.  Having performed these two technically challenging works to such a high level, it is understandable as to why this choir were awarded prizes at both Navan Choral Festival and Cork Choral Festival.  Following this, the USC Concert Choir and their conductor treated the audience to the famous work Beati Quorum Via by Irish composer C.V. Stanford.  Other concert highlights included the Hymn of Habakkuk composed by choir member Jesse Strickland.  Given the choir’s expertise in performing Spiritual work, audience members were left speechless after their performances of Carter’s Come Here Jesus, If You Please and DeCormier’s Let Me Fly. These works left the audience standing and requesting for more, which the choir truly delivered.

For more information regarding upcoming events at St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth please check Events at sppu.ie.