Friday, June 19, 2015

Church organ fundraiser much enjoyed

There was a most appreciative audience at the recent Summer Concert 2015 in Kilcullen Parish Church, a fundraiser for restoration work needed on the John White organ, writes Brian Byrne.

According to the Artistic Director of the event, Peter Moloney, the church itself is acoustically excellent and the work on the organ is necessary to make the most of it.

Among the contributors to the evening were organist Dr Paul McKeever, Director of Music a Harrington St Church in Dublin; tenor Dave Maguire; trumpeter John Walsh; cellist Dorly O'Sullivan; violinists Alice Kelly and Helen Harney; and viola player Aoife Doyle.

The choirs of Kildare Cathedral and Dominican College Newbridge also performed individually and ensemble.

The music ranged widely, including works by Telemann, Mozart, Bach. Franck, Mendlessohn, Wesley, Davies, Rutter, Jenkins, Rheinberger, Tallis, Adams and Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The event concluded with the choirs, organ, trumpet and congregation in 'All People that on Earth do dwell'.

Master of Ceremonies was Charlie Talbot. The Concert was dedicated to the memory of Brother Raphael Berney O.Cist, a member of the local Berney family.

Peter Moloney expressed his appreciation to the parish and clergy for the use of the church, and to all those who contributed and helped to manage the occasion.

NOTE: This piece was supposed to have been published three weeks ago, but slipped through the process due to nobody's fault but your editor's own. Apologies to all, and thanks to Pat Foley for the photographs.