Castlemartyr Children's Choir was founded in 1992 by Ursula Muckley and Tomás Ó Tuama in order to provide elementary vocal training for children of primary school age in the locality, and to give these childen the opportunity to practice the disciplines of choral singing at an age where they can learn quickly. The choir is directed by Ursula Muckley. The choir is well known in the greater Cork area having won many prizes at Feis Maitiu and Féile an tSamhraidh. The choir provided the chorus for the 1997 Bill Kenwright (London) production of "Joseph" at Cork Opera House. In 1998 the choir won the competition for Children's Choirs at the Chester Music Festival in England. The choir's repertoire is a mix of the sacred and secular, and the childen perform regularly both in church and in other non-competitive performances in the East Cork area. The choir has also joined with the adult choir on many occasions, performing some of the larger choruses from 'Messiah', and joining in other concert performances and variety shows. Many of the younger singers in St. Joseph's Choir were members of the Children's Choir when they were in the Primary school. The future of the adult choir is more secure when there are so many children in the locality who have experienced singing through the Children's Choir. |