All singing, some dancing: the 'Proms' are back!
Cavan Singers are preparing to bring their busy musical year to a vibrant close next week with their annual Proms concert at Hotel Kilmore.
This year’s theme, ‘Melodies & Medleys’, draws inspiration from some of the most beloved songs of musical theatre and film, promising an evening that blends nostalgia, orchestral colour, and choral power.
Under Musical Director Eileen Tackney and accompanist Sue Donohoe, the programme takes its cue from classics such as The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins, the timeless works made famous by Julie Andrews. The varied setlist also includes Anúna, Coldplay, Dolly Parton, Neil Diamond, Karl Jenkins, as well as Hans Zimmer. Audiences can also expect cinematic favourites from The Pirates of the Caribbean to Wicked.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming show, alto and former Chair of Cavan Singers, Mary Haren - who also plays first violin with the Cavan Sinfonia Orchestra - is excited by the ambitious programme.
“It is a very extensive repertoire,” she said. “Probably one of the most extensive to date. This time it involves both the choir and the Cavan Sinfonia Orchestra. The orchestra will do a few things on its own, and then we’ll be accompanying soloists. At the end, we’ll join the choir for the Karl Jenkins pieces, so there are a lot of moving parts.”
The concert is the result of months of preparation, with rehearsals beginning last September.
The Proms concert will also feature contributions from the Cavan Sinfonia and the Cavan Youth Orchestra, led by Evin O’Meara, adding further depth to the evening’s extensive programme.
Soloists will also take centre stage throughout. Among those performing are Brian McKeever, Pauline Brady, Jennifer Lewis, and Choral director of Breifne College choir, Maria Battigelli.
Hugh Tunney from Clones will meanwhile perform three solo pieces, accompanied by the orchestra.
Reflecting on the collaborative nature of the event, Mary highlights the key figures who hold the production together musically. The constant element between them is Eileen Tackney as Musical Director of Cavan Singers, and Sue Donohoe, who is accompanist with the choir and Musical Director of the Cavan Sinfonia.
“Sue conducts the orchestra, accompanies the singers, and even performs a solo during one of the Karl Jenkins pieces,” Mary explains.
The production also includes a dance element, adding another dimension to the already varied programme.
“It’s something a bit different for us, but we’ve done collaborations like this before. We support each other across the choir and orchestra.”
Cavan Singers’ commitment saw the group represented Ireland internationally at the Lisbon Sings Festival in 2024 and performed at the International Choir Festival in Derry City last year, as well as at the Cavan PPN Winter Community Conference in Ballyconnell.
Most recently, they presented a full concert in St Mary’s Church, Rockcorry, where some of the songs set to be preformed on May 12 got an airing.
“That gave us a great opportunity to bring everything together,” Mary tells the Celt.
Now in its 45th year, Cavan Singers continues to thrive through strong musical leadership and dedicated organisation behind the scenes.
As Mary reflects: “It’s a great group to be with. We’ve had some of the best musical directors in the country over the years, and wonderful committees who work very hard.
“It can be stressful for them, but it’s always successful.”