Anglo-Celt Rehab Cavan Person of the Year 2010 nominees - Virginia Gospel Choir

Virginia Gospel Choir was formed in October 2004 and currently there are 33 full-time members, ranging in age from late 20s to early 70s. It is based in Virginia and members come from the town and many of the surrounding communities. The choir rehearses one and sometimes two nights per week and performs at Mass in Virginia on the second Sunday of each month. The choir also performs a number of charity concerts each year. To date the choir has helped a number of various charities and organisations in their fund raising activities. The groups that have benefited include the Irish Heart Foundation, the PTAA, Chernobyl Children's Trust, and also many schools and churches. Choir members also sing at church weddings in Cavan and surrounding areas. All the choir members, including musical director Carmel Reilly, are volunteers who give their time to do something they enjoy, and at the same time bring joy to audiences and much needed finance to the organising charity. They members initially joined for the love of singing and something new and different, and then stayed for the friendship and self-fulfilment. They would describe gospel music as uplifting, joyous, fun, full of energy and spiritual. This year the choir represented the North on the All Ireland Talent Show and reached the Wildcard show. This was a fabulous experience for the choir and it led to a role as support act with the Irish Three Tenors in The Solstice Theatre in Navan, and again at the National Concert Hall in July of this year.