US choir give free concert

One of New York State’s finest choirs will be performing in Galway at a free concert in St. Nicholas Church on Tuesday at 8pm. Hailing from Albany in upstate New York, the 65 voice Albany Pro Musica will perform a wide ranging and entertaining acapella programme.

Galway audiences can look forward to an exceptional performance of choral singing which will include traditional spirituals Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit, Swingin’ with the Saints, Plenty Good Room as well as some vocal jazz including Goodnight Sweetheart, It’s Time to Go, Java Jive and Blue Skies.

Two notable pieces are “The Cloths of Heaven”, a beautiful setting of the W. B. Yeats poem by Z. Randall Stroope and “The Drinking Gourd” a spiritual arranged by Andre Thomas. From the pop music scene they will perform the King Singer’s arrangement of the James Taylor classic “That Lonesome Road” before drawing the performance to a close with a selection of Irish blessings.

Founded in 1981, Albany Pro Musica has a long-standing reputation for excellence in performing great choral literature both a cappella and with professional orchestras throughout the United States. The choir is fed by noted conductor David Griggs Janower who was named Outstanding Conductor of the Year in 2003 by the New York State American Choral Directors Association. Albany Pro Musica choir has toured extensively in its 29 year history visiting France, Spain and the Czech Republic.

Following their Galway Concert Albany Pro Musica will travel to Dublin where they have been invited to sing at the Independence Day Celebrations at the American Ambassador’s Residence in the Phoenix Park on July 3rd and the US Chambers of Commerce Independence Day Picnic on July 4. The choir concludes their Irish tour with a lunchtime time concert in Christchurch Cathedral on Monday July 5.

Albany Pro Musica’s Galway concert will begin at 8:00pm, and entrance is free of charge.