Pro Bono Choir

The Pro Bono Choir provided once again a magnificent evening of hymns and carols in Fitzroy Presbyterian Church Belfast on 10 December before a full house. The music was punctuated with monologues and poetry delivered by clergy, judges and practitioners.

By way of background the choir was established in 2010 with Joe Rice, Solicitor being one of the founding members. It is a not for profit, all-ability choir whose membership is drawn from the legal profession, mainly barristers, solicitors and the judiciary.

One of the key purposes of the choir is fundraising for local charities. The choir organises and hosts two concerts each year, one at Christmas and a second in the early summer. In its short existence the choir has raised tens of thousands of pounds through ticket sales and sponsorship. The choir is actively supported by the Society, the Bar Council and the judiciary. Membership at the date of the concert stood at over 50. Audience approval rates of the concerts and performances are such that all tickets for all shows are sold out well in advance.

This is due, in no small measure to the choir’s outstanding conductor Sheelagh Greer. Her vast experience, expertise, commitment and mischievous humour have contributed to the growth in members and raised the standard of performances beyond compare. Sheelagh is not only a conductor of great repute but is herself a Mezzo Soprano who performs regularly throughout these islands and further afield.

All successful organisations require commitment at the top and the committee with the Co-Chairs, Sarah Minford BL and Owen Williamson ensure this choir runs efficiently. It is important that the solicitor’s profession maintains its active support for this worthwhile and extremely enjoyable activity. The commitment is not onerous, with practice once weekly for one hour at 6:00 pm in the hall at St George’s High St Belfast. Sheelagh is a time manager par excellence, so everyone is away by 7:00 pm without fail. As previously stated, this is an all-ability choir with no auditions for new members. Anyone interested can simply turn up before rehearsal on a Monday and register with the Secretary Ben Lowry BL or indeed any committee officer at hand.

It reflects so well on the profession that so many enthusiastically participate for the benefit of those less fortunate. If the altruistic purpose was insufficient everyone should note that singing in a choir has been shown to enhance brain function, strengthen the feelings of togetherness and releases endorphins and oxytocin, which reduces stress levels and prevents depression. Who can ignore that?