Gala Concert for Roscrea   You are in · RoscreaOnline · Community · Features

An evening of musical favourites with The Baldonnel Singers and Guest Soloists; Paul Linehan, Tenor, Celine Byrne, Soprano and Roscrea Folk Group will take place on Sunday, 26th February, at 7.30 pm.

 Gala Concert

Baldonnel Singers Founded in 2003, initially with ten members, this male voice choir made its inaugural appearance in the Officers’ Mess, Baldonnel, in December of the same year. Since then, the group has been busy building its repertoire and expanding its ranks, whilst performing in various venues for concerts, charities and competitions.  Our members vary in age, vocal pitch, county allegiance, profession and waist size! Under the baton of Choral Director, Margaret Hayes-Mahon, they perform tonight the fruits of their choral dedication for The Jack and Jill Foundation.

Celine Byrne – Soprano Celine is currently on the Masters programme at the Royal Irish Academy of Music where she is studying with Dr. Veronica Dunne having successfully completed her Music Degree at the Conservatory of Music and Drama, D.I.T Rathmines, receiving the college Gold Medal. She has received many awards both on a national and international platform. She also received the Bill Canning bursary, Waterford 2003, the John Mc Cormack bursary, Dublin 2003, and a scholarship to attend the Opera course at Oxenfoord Summer School in Scotland 2003 and 2004. Celine has given many recitals throughout Ireland and has sung at concerts in Belfast, Waterford, Cork Opera House and the National Concert Hall in Dublin. She has performed as a soloist with several Opera Companies including Lyric Opera, Opera Ireland and Anna Livia Opera and during the summer she participated in the artistic development programme with Wexford Opera. Her television appearances include ‘The Late Late Show’ and Nationwide while her radio performances include KFM, Lyric FM’s ‘Lyric Notes’ and RTE Radio One’s ‘Rattle Bag’.

Margaret Hayes – Mahon Choral Director One night in September 2003,Margaret was asked by phonecall if she would listen to eight men who hoped one day they might sing together. And so she became the founder Choral Director of Baldonnel Singers. Many nights of fun and frustration have since been enjoyed and endured as she has encouraged  the choir members with the task of producing their own concert. She hopes tonight they will be rewarded for their dedication to the cause by enjoying their performance in the company of good friends.  Margaret has been involved with many local Musical Societies as pianist, chorus mistress and musical director for their shows. She has been awarded some National Awards for this work. She holds a Licentiate Diploma from Trinity College, London, and is also a teacher of Home Economics at St. Mary’s college, Naas.