Ashbourne Church Choir marks 30 years with Christmas CD

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the foundation of Ashbourne Church Choir and the recording of a CD of Christmas music represents the culmination of a series of celebrations marking the birthday. During the year, the choir initiated a series of summer music concerts in the community, commissioned new liturgical music and undertook a trip to Galway, singing in the Dominican Priory in the Claddagh and in Galway Cathedral. The decision to record a collection of Christmas music was made during the liturgical season last year, when the singing and service of the choir elicited profound gratitude, warmth and encouragement from the people of the parish, who have celebrated and prayed with the choir over the past three decades. The recording features many well-known and well-loved carols, several choral favourites and some new pieces, including a world premiere recording of a beautiful new carol, 'In Quiet Silence', by Irish composer Edward Holden. The CD also includes collaboration with local instrumentalists and with the children of Ashbourne Youth Choir. The CD, entitled 'In Quiet Silence: Christmas With Ashbourne Church Choir', includes a souvenir booklet and will be launched on 22nd November by the Bishop of Meath, Dr Michael Smith. All profits from sales of the CD will go to the Cystic Fibrosis Hopesource Foundation. The beginnings of Ashbourne Church Choir can be traced back to 1978. In 1979, the visit of Pope John Paul II to Ireland provided the impetus for the firm establishment of the choir to sing at a special Mass to welcome the Pope in Drogheda that year. The choir was founded by Liam Hanley and has been providing music ministry at Sunday morning Mass in Ashbourne Church ever since. The early years of the choir saw the group grow from strength to strength. A standard of vocal excellence was established from the beginning, a standard which led the choir to become prizewinners in various major choral competitions and festivals at home and abroad. These events also provided many welcome opportunities for socialising and fun. Ephrem and Giovanna Feeley succeeded Mr Hanley as directors of the choir in 2002. Central to their work is an understanding of the choir's role in leading the congregation's weekly prayer and praise. Building on the rich corpus of motets and sacred choral works in the choir's repertoire, they also introduced a wealth of traditional hymnody and new, contemporary church music by Irish and international composers, some of which has been specially written for Ashbourne Church Choir. Celebrating the Sunday liturgy is the primary focus of the choir, culminating in the great feasts and seasons of the Church year. However, time is always found for days out, social events and new experiences. In 2005, the choir undertook a very successful pilgrimage to Rome, where they welcomed the newly-elected Pope Benedict XVI by singing at a papal audience in Vatican City. The trip was enriched by plenty of singing opportunities - both planned and impromptu. In advance of the trip and of the concert held in the Church of Sant'Agnese, the choir shared the excitement of the venture by performing the concert programme for the community in Ashbourne. This 'Prelude to Rome' concert also raised funds for the St Francis Hospice in Dublin. Outreach to the community in the form of carol singing for local charities and for senior citizens has always been an important part of the choir's ethos. The choir's membership consists of approximately 35 singers, male and female, with ages ranging from the teens upwards. This year has been an opportunity for choir members, past and present, their families and the community, to celebrate the story and experience of Ashbourne Church Choir and to look forward to the future together.