Choral freshers guide

Welcome I’m tremendously excited about the plans that Choral has in store for the 2017-18 academic year. The first choral work I ever performed was Mozart Requiem, and it’s thrilling to return to this powerful and dramatic piece in November.

The Choral Society has a unique ability to bring together diverse aspects of the college community— from undergraduates to staff and graduates. This is one of our greatest strengths, with singers coming from all over the world and from different disciplines to join together in producing music and enduring friendships.

We welcome singers of all voices and levels of ability to join us for the year ahead.

Ross Cullinane Hon. Secretary

About Us Founded in 1837, the University of Dublin Choral Society (UDCS) is the oldest and largest choir in Trinity College. We are a four part mixed voice choir, consisting of undergraduates, postgraduates and staff. Choral specialises in performing largescale choral works with full orchestral accompaniment both within and outside the walls of Trinity College under the direction of our professional Musical Director, David Leigh. We rehearse weekly on Wednesday evenings from 7-9pm.

Membership Who can join?

All voices and ages are welcome. Some previous choir or music reading experience would be helpful, but is not essential. No formal auditions are held. The most important requirements are a love of singing, a taste for fun, and willingness to put in a bit of hard work!

How can I join?

To join just drop by our stand in Front Square during Freshers week (18-22 September), or come along to our first rehearsal at 6.30pm on Wednesday 27th September in Goldsmith Hall on Pearse Street. We welcome new members to join at any of our first three rehearsals (27/9, 4/10, 11/10).

Michaelmas Term Concert Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd November Public Theatre Trinity College Dublin Mozart Requiem Haydn Te Deum Mozart Vesperae solennes de confessore Our November concert programme focuses on Mozart Requiem, one of the most enduringly popular works in the choral repertoire. On joining us for rehearsals, you'll be inescapably drawn in by the Requiem aeternam and the inimitable Dies irae will seal your fate forever as a confirmed Choral singer. To make this a little less intimidating and to really add to the fun, many current Choral members are well versed in Mozart Requiem, which is always a boon to singers new and established.

As part of the same concert, Choral will once again perform Haydn Te Deum, a beautiful setting to music of an oft used hymn. Haydn, the grandfather of the symphony, undoubtedly played a very important part in Mozart's development as a composer, both as mentor and friend. To this end, we really do have this master to thank for all the sublime music we will learn and perform this Michaelmas Term.

Christmas Concert December 2017 Handel Messiah In December we will be presenting a special Christmas performance of Handel Messiah, which was premiered in Dublin in 1742. While not a Christmas piece per se, there is a long standing and much loved tradition of performing Messiah at Advent. It will be fabulous learning, should you choose to join us on future trips to the Messiah from Scratch at the Royal Albert Hall in London. This promises to bring Michaelmas Term to a wonderful conclusion.

Hilary Term Concert March 2018 Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle One of Rossini's final works, Petite Messe Solennelle is new to the Choral repertoire this coming Hilary Term. Far from "petite", this work is a standalone piece that Rossini considered an indulgence in his old age. With all of us learning this stunning work from scratch together, it promises to be an enthralling end to a rewarding year.

Other activities Choral regularly engages in a variety of different activities and social events, such as our table quiz and annual Christmas carol events.

Each February, we host the Richard Cherry Cup, which is a singing competition for vocal quartets formed from within the choir. This always proves to be an entertaining and rewarding experience In November, a group of singers from Choral makes an annual pilgrimage to the Royal Albert Hall in London to join with 3,000 other singers from around the world to perform Handel’s Messiah in an unforgettable experience!

Conductor David Leigh David Leigh has served as Musical Director of Choral since 2008. He is also the Assistant Organist and Director of the Cathedral Schola (senior girls’ choir) at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland, and also pursues a busy freelance career as a choral and orchestral conductor, orchestral keyboard player and concert organist.

Key Dates: Freshers Week : 18-22 September First Rehearsal: Weds 27 September 6.30pm Goldsmith Hall For further information, visit our website: www.udcs.org Twitter: @udcs Facebook: Trinitychoral