21st April, 2024 - Second Ballyeaston Presbyterian Church
The Clare Chorale led the praise at this evening’s service for the rural and farming communities in the Ballyclare area. Once again there was a very good turnout for this annual service where thanks was given for the work that is carried out by so many people in agriculture and its supporting industries and professions. The chairman of the church’s Kirk Session, Dr Robert McMillen, welcomed everyone to the church and the service continued unannounced with the choir contributing a number of pieces during the service. Once again a very enjoyable supper was enjoyed in the Brann Memorial Hall immediately after the service and the choir finished the evening by singing three pieces at the end of supper. Rev. Purvis Campbell, a former minister in Second Ballyeaston Presbyterian Church, closed the evening with prayer.
23rd February, 2024 - Concert in Cregagh Presbyterian Church
The Clare Chorale made a welcome return to Cregagh Presbyterian Church this evening for a concert being held in aid of church funds. The last time the choir sang in this beautiful church was in December 2004 when the choir was only in its second season. The Clare Chorale was joined for the concert by the church’s very accomplished handbell choir. Comperes for the evening were the hilarious duo of John Dallas and Dennison Mahood, both long standing members of the church. John has been organist and choir conductor in the church for many years and is very well known to most in The Clare Chorale having been Head of Music in Ballyclare High School.
To watch the concert (in two separate parts) follow these links;
17th February, 2024 - Concert in North Street Presbyterian Church, Carrickfergus with Third Carrickfergus Band
In a first for The Clare Chorale the choir took part in a joint concert with Third Carrickfergus Band in North Street Presbyterian Church, Carrickfergus. This band was formed in 1958 and situated in the historic coastal town of Carrickfergus, it is a busy Championship Section band which not only is in great demand throughout the year giving concerts at many venues in Northern Ireland and beyond, but also competes in various annual contests. It is conducted by Brian Connolly. The compere for the concert was Alan Beattie who is well known in musical circles in Ballyclare and beyond. Alan recently retired as conductor of the very popular Ballyclare Victoria Flute Band. The choir sang many of its favourite pieces but introduced two new pieces for the first time. The first was the wonderful Coronation Anthem written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and sung in Westminster Abbey last year at the coronation of King Charles III. The choir was accompanied by the band for this piece. The second new piece was ‘Sit Down You’re Rockin’ The Boat’ from the very popular musical, Guys and Dolls, first performed in 1955!
To listen to the Coronation Anthem please follow this link - Coronation Anthem
24th November, 2023 - Charity Concert in The Great Hall, Stormont
The Clare Chorale returned to The Great Hall in Parliament Buildings, Stormont this evening for a charity concert in support of AWARE, which is the depression charity for Northern Ireland - and the only charity working exclusively for people with depression and bipolar disorder. The choir was joined for this important fund-raising concert by the senior choir from Ballyclare Secondary School and 14 year-old Katie Lucas, who is a pupil at Ballyclare High School and a member of the chamber choir there.
22nd October, 2023 - Harvest Thanksgiving Service in Woodburn Presbyterian Church
The choir’s first engagement of the season was in Woodburn Presbyterian Church where it led the harvest praise in a service conducted by Rev. David Kelly, minister in Woodburn. The church was virtually at its maximum capacity for this important service in the church’s calendar and a warm welcome was extended to everyone by Rev. Kelly. The choir sang a total of six pieces at different times during the service and led the inspirational and very uplifting congregational singing. Immediately after the service everyone enjoyed a delicious harvest supper in the adjacent church hall where there was a chance to chat to family and friends.
The service was streamed live on Facebook and is available to view by following this link - Woodburn Presbyterian Church Harvest Service
14th September, 2023 - Charity Cheque Presentation
The new choir season beckons after a short summer recess but before the practices begin in earnest there was some choir business to attend to. This evening the choir held its Annual General Meeting where the reports for the past year were presented by the office bearers and the election of the new choir committee was completed. But before the AGM took place a cheque was presented in the central garden of Ballyclare High School to Valerie Saunders representing Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke, a charity based in Belfast. A cheque for £2,812 was presented to Valerie by Alan Strong, choir chairperson, and Richard Wallace, choir president, and this sum was raised in a number of fundraising events over the past two years. Valerie was delighted to accept this cheque on behalf of the charity and told the choir members how the money would be used. She described how the Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke charity provides expert care and support to anyone at risk of, or currently living with chest, heart and stroke conditions, and how it also funds local ground-breaking research into better treatments, care and prevention.
During the AGM Alan Strong, outgoing chairperson, took the opportunity to present some certificates to four of the remaining five founder members of the choir. Heather Close, Gillian Logan, Vera Jones and David Holmes joined the choir at its first practice at the beginning of September 2003 and have been members now for 20 years. The only other founder member still with the choir is its conductor, Sheelagh Greer. Sheelagh couldn’t attend the AGM this evening as she is performing in Northern Ireland Opera’s production of ‘Tosca’ in the Grand Opera House.
Pictured above, from left to right, are Vera, Alan, Heather, Gillian and David.