Roscommon Solstice Choir AGM reflects on a busy decade – with more to come!

The AGM of the Roscommon Solstice Choir was held recently in the Kilbride Community Centre, with a large number of people in attendance.

This choir was founded in 2013, the year of The Gathering, with the original intention of performing three concerts, and has gone from strength to strength over the intervening years. They have performed numerous concerts all over Ireland as well as shows in New York and London, and raised hundreds of thousands of euro for so many worthy causes and charities.

The outgoing chairperson Jimmy Hoban noted that the choir “stands by people who are in need and also stands by each other, which is very important for a community choir”. He praised their sense of professionalism and dedication, which has ensured that the group will celebrate their tenth birthday this year.

He proceeded to thank Andrew and Eimear Reynolds, the musical directors, all the choir members and their families, the back- stage crew, their sponsors, and all the guests and musicians who had played with them over the years. He noted especially the members of the press and media, who had contributed in no small way to their success over the past ten years, and everyone in the various communities who had shown their support.

The outgoing secretary Catherine Murray spoke of the impact of Covid-19 on the choir, but noted that they had “bounced back with a vengeance”. She said the choir had performed a number of excellent concerts recently, including for the Galway

Hospice in Galway Cathedral, with Roscommon native Johnny Carroll. The choir recorded a version of the classic Jim Reeves song ‘Whispering Hope’ with Johnny, and all proceeds from this also went to the Galway Hospice. In excess of €28,000 was raised in total.

May 2023 concerts

The choir is now officially booked for 2023, with the first series of concerts in May. Concerts will take place in Roscommon on May 7th, Cootehall on May 12th, Ballycroy on May 14th, Mohill on May 19th , and Drumlish on May 21st Christmas concert details will be given at a later stage.

Officers elected A committee was also elected at the meeting. The following officers were elected – Chairperson: John F Hanley; Vice-chairperson: Marie Lough; Secretary: Jeanette Foley; As- sistant Secretary: Kristen Kelly; Treasurer: Nathalie Wolde; PRO: Jimmy Hoban; Assistant PRO: Liam Byrne.

The meeting concluded with a big thank you to everyone who has contributed in any way to the choir’s outstanding success.