Welcome to the Members’ Homepage

We recently lost one of the stalwarts of The Guinness Choir with the death of Joan Cowle on her 89^th birthday.  Joan was a member of the Choir for over 40 years and served on the committee on several occasions.  She had a very broad knowledge of music – as one member remarked recently ‘her meticulous observations kept David Milne on his toes and choir members amused!’

She was a key member of Feis Ceoil Committees and acted as a Director for many years.  She knew everyone on the music scene, as was evidenced by those who greeted her on her regular visits to NCH.  Through her involvement with the Feis, she observed the progress of many young singers and musicians as their careers progressed, imparting her encouragement along the way.

One of Joan’s key skills was her exceptional ability for proof reading, especially of Guinness Choir programmes.  She could spot a missing comma or incorrect spelling a mile away.  This skill was no doubt honed during her long and successful career in Standard Life Assurance.

Joan was widely travelled, spending several holidays travelling with her sister, to visit her niece in New Zealand.  Over the years she also enjoyed 6 or 7 cruises, calling at some exotic destinations, in the company of the late Nora Carrigan, also a former choir member.  A truly memorable pair were they!  Joan was also part of the informal group of Guinness Choir members who regularly participated in the Really Big Chorus concerts in the Royal Albert Hall and in occasional trips to Halle for performances of the Messiah.

I personally had the pleasure of being Joan’s concert going companion for over 40 years in NCH. I will miss her greatly.

ADA KELLY

 

A Welcome Note from Ciarán Kelly, Music Director

“The Guinness Choir is one of Ireland’s most established and highly regarded choral societies, and has a rich tradition of performing much-loved works to the highest of standards. It is a privilege for me to continue the legacy left by the choir’s founder Victor Leeson, and his esteemed successors John Dexter and David Milne.

After a period of relatively little singing since 2020, now is a time of rejuvenation and re-imagination for the Guinness Choir, and I look forward immensely to what we will create together.

We have exciting plans for the present and the future, looking ahead to our seventy-fifth anniversary in a few years’ time.

I look forward to working with you and creating wonderful music together”.

Ciarán

 

The Social Life of the Choir

We are a very sociable choir and membership of the choir is not just about singing but about meeting and making new friends. Our half-time break at rehearsal offers everyone the chance to mingle and chat. Members are encouraged to make new acquaintances.

A booklet is produced each year giving the names and a headshot of each member, to help us all recognise each other.

After each rehearsal, members can meet locally for a drink to which everyone is invited. Our preferred venue is Murphy’s Pub, Upper Rathmines Road. After a concert we normally arrange to meet at a nearby hostelry for a quiet drink! Once or twice a season we arrange a musical workshop, which might involve an overnight outside of Dublin. We also try to organise a Fund-Raising event which is great fun and other events are arranged from time to time.

These events give everyone the chance to get to know one another so do come along and enjoy the fun.

We hope that you enjoy singing with us.

The Choir Committee