Gardiner Street Gospel Choir

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Gardiner Street Gospel Choir
OriginDublin, Ireland
Genres Gospel
Years active2000–present
Website Gardiner Street Gospel Choir Website

The Gardiner Street Gospel Choir is a Gospel music choir based in the Jesuit Saint Francis Xavier Church [1] on Gardiner Street in Dublin, Ireland. The award-winning choir is made up of volunteers who perform at services, and on other stages around Ireland. [2]

Contents

History

The choir was founded in 2000 by Trinity College music graduate Kevin Kelly and Edmond Grace SJ. [3] [4] Beginning with a smaller group, as of 2011, there were 40 voices backed by 8 musicians. [4] As of 2020, the musical director was Cathy McEvoy. [5]

Over the years, the group have played in a number of venues, including Vicar Street, the National Concert Hall, the Olympia Theatre, the Phoenix Park, at the Dublin City Soul Festival, [6] [ better source needed ] at the women's prison, the Dóchas Centre, and for the Dublin Docklands Authority.[ citation needed ] In May 2008, the choir performed at Irish Aid's 'Africa Day' in Dublin Castle, where they collaborated with Kíla. [7]

Recordings and prizes

The choir is accompanied by some instruments, including keyboard, guitar, percussion and brass. [4] The music played includes gospel and contemporary, including pieces by U2 and Bob Marley as well as traditional gospel. [8]

In 2002, Gardiner Street Gospel Choir made radio and television appearances and launched a CD named One Love. [9] This CD was recorded live at a concert in the O'Reilly Hall, at Belvedere College, Dublin.

Twice since its foundation, the choir has won the top Gospel Choir prize at the annual Festival of the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS). [9] [ dead link ] They subsequently won the Gospel Choir competition at the AIMS choral festival in New Ross. [4]

In 2003, Luka Bloom performed with the choir, [10] [11] and the choir provided backing vocals for two tracks on his Eleven Songs album. [12] They were recorded in the Ignatian Room, at the back of Gardiner Street Church. [10] [12]

The choir have recorded with Juliet Turner, [13] and also sang live on RTÉ's "In Concert" series, [14] [15] and the group has appeared on Channel 4 television. [4]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "Can gospel choirs bring Mass appeal?". Irish Times. 4 April 2004.
  2. ↑ "Events". GardinerStreetGospelChoir.com. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  3. ↑ Michelle O'Keefe (25 April 2004), "Mass with a gospel beat", Sunday Mirror, London: MGN Ltd – via TheFreeLibrary
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Gospel Masses". Magis Ireland (Jesuit's website). Archived from the original on 16 July 2011.
  5. ↑ "About The GSGC". gardinerstreetgospelchoir.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020.
  6. ↑ Colin Dilnot (April 2007). "Dublin City Soul Festival" . Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  7. ↑ "Martin kicks off Africa Day – RTÉ News". Rte.ie. 26 May 2008. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  8. ↑ "The Gardiner Street Gospel Choir". IrishTourist.com. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011.
  9. 1 2 P45.net – The gig at God's gaff Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  10. 1 2 "Luka Bloom Bio". Bar None Records. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  11. ↑ Rena Bergholz. "Luka Bloom – I Am Not at War With Anyone". Rbergholz.net. Archived from the original on 28 September 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2013.
  12. 1 2 "Short Notices". AMDG Newsletter (Jesuit Weekly Newsletter. 4 November 2008. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011.
  13. ↑ "Gardiner Street Gospel Choir @ The Heilx". Culch.ie. 14 May 2009.
  14. ↑ "Gardiner St Gospel Choir's 2008 Performance in Mountjoy Dochas prison, as featured on RTE Radio 1 show "In Concert"". RTÉ.[ permanent dead link ]
  15. ↑ "Gardiner St Gospel Choir's Easter concert, as featured on RTE Radio 1 show "In Concert"". RTÉ.[ dead link ]
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