Venue: St. Barrahane's Church, Castletowshend, P81 AH51
Tickets: Retiring Collection
Online (booking fee applies), at the door, at Thornhill Electrical Skibbereen or text/call 086 226 4797
St George's is the oldest Church of Ireland in Belfast having been built in 1816 on a site that has been used for christian worship since at least 1306.
St. George's is noted for its liturgical and musical tradition – it has one of the few men's and boys' church choirs in Ireland. Its ministry, both to the business community and to Belfast's homeless population, are an important part of parish life. St. George's has a diverse congregation, drawing members from different religious, cultural and social backgrounds. Church records refer to a choir from at least 1882.
The choir is renowned for its musical ability with many former choristers going on to sing or play in cathedrals and college chapels around the world. Boys are recruited from primary schools within the Belfast area from the age of 7. The boys go on to join the ‘back row’ when their voices break.
Rehearsals are twice a week and the choir sing at two services each Sunday. Christmas and Easter are a bit busier!
They are impressive musicians led by a team: A director of music who trains the choristers, selects repertoire and directs the choir each week, a professional singing teacher who prepares the ‘back row’ choral scholars for ABRSM diploma by the time they’re ready to move to University, and 2 highly skilled organists who enable the choir to perform really demanding repertoire. They are trained to perform difficult and different sacred music each week. Their repertoire is taken from the full range of christian sacred music and the ability to master such music with limited rehearsal enhances the religious life of St George’s and of the many other churches, cathedrals and venues in which the choir performs. The choir regularly tours Ireland, Britain and in Europe.
https://www.youtube.com/@StGeorgesBelfastMusic-d9f