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Ulster Youth Choir:

Geantrai -ÌýMichael McGlynn

Omagh Music Society:

(excerpts from St John Passion, Bob Chilcott)

Jesu, grant me this I pray

There is a green hill far away

Jesus is my leman

When I survey the wondrous cross

Ìý

Codetta:

And So It Goes Ìý-ÌýBilly Joel

Caritas:

Moon River -ÌýMercer, Mancini

Ave Verum CorpusÌý-ÌýW A Mozart

All through The Night -ÌýTrad Welsh arr H Hamill

Down By The Salley Gardens -ÌýW B Yeats, trad Irish arr H Hamill

Since the early 1970s ‘Omagh Music Society’ has played an important role in the Arts scene of Tyrone’s county town, Omagh. An SATB ensemble,Ìý‘Omagh Music Society’Ìýhas provided many opportunities to learn and enjoy a variety of musical styles but perhaps is renowned throughout its history for performing many of the great works of Oratorio. ÌýThe choir meets on Monday evenings at Holy Family Primary School in the centre of the town and in recent years has enjoyed the warm acoustic of Edenderry Parish Church for itsÌýannual concerts.Ìý The current choir of 35 members comprises all ages, united by their love of singing and their desire to learn new repertoire. ÌýOmagh Music Society is always keen to expand its numbers and welcomes new members to join when the season begins in September.Ìý

In April 2015, Omagh Music Society, under the leadership of recently appointed Musical Director, Rachel Bingham, had the pleasure of performing Bob Chilcott’s work ‘St John Passion’ - an NI premiere perhaps, but also a refreshing retelling of the Easter story. ÌýSoloists for the performance were Gerarda McCann, Stanley Matthews, Keane Davison and Calvin Davison with accompaniment by Marion Haddow.Ìý This work, published in 2013, contains five Passiontide hymns and several choral reflections, all linked by the recitative-like narrative of the tenor Evangelist.

Rachel Bingham is a Music graduate of Queens’ University, Belfast where she focused on piano performance and particularly works written for Piano Duet/Two Pianos.Ìý After completing PGCE Rachel later commenced work in Mount Lourdes Grammar School, Enniskillen, working alongside colleague Helen Hamill for three years.Ìý Helen and her choir Caritas can also be heard in this programme.

In September 2002, Rachel was appointed Head of Music at Omagh Academy and has throughly enjoyed creating and leading a dynamic department which thrives on offering students a varied range of musical experiences.Ìý School performances have become much anticipated events within the local community and her pupils have all experienced the Samba Band, Ukulele Orchestra, African Drumming ensemble and Bluegrass group work nicely alongside the Choirs, Orchestras and the award-winning Brass Band. Ìý

In September 2014, Rachel was honoured to accept the role of Music Director of Omagh Music Society and looks forward to leading this enthusiastic and creative vocal ensemble.

Caritas isÌý new mixed-voice choir, formed in October 2014 and features local singers from the Enniskillen area.Ìý They rehearse in Fermanagh House on Friday evenings.Ìý Initially, the conductor Helen Hamill and a few friends wanted to be able to sing Christmas music and so decided to form a group. They were invited to perform at aÌý Carol Concert in fundraising for Fermanagh Friends of the Cancer Society and after just 8 weeks together, that was their first public performance.

The group members have all previously worked with Helen, who directs Caritas: family members, friends, some from previous choirs, past school pupils, members of musical theatre groups.Ìý Within Caritas, in addition to the choral performances, they are able to feature the talents of some traditional musicians, brass players and many capable vocal soloists from within the group.

Since Christmas the group have concentrated on building a repertoire of choral works which would now enable them to perform in any context.Ìý The current, very broad repertoire encompasses Classical, Religious, Easy listening, Musical Theatre and Traditional Irish Vocal Music.Ìý Caritas has almost 40 members, but generally perform as a group of about 30 voices.

Helen Hamill was born and lives in Enniskillen.

She studied in St Patrick’s College, Maynooth. Helen's vocal training was under the late Frank Capper.

Her love of singing, has led to a long association with vocal and choral directing.Ìý While she taught in Mount Lourdes Grammar School she had responsibility for all the school’s choral groups.

She was organist and directed St Michael's Church Choir until 2013. Under her guidance the choir performed for Her Majesty the Queen, and featured on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Songs of Praise. They also recorded a CD of choral music in May 2013, "Age to Age" (Generations of song) which raised almost £10,000 for local charity.Ìý Over the years Helen has directed many musical theatre productions in the area.