Shared language of music
Where in the world can you meet people from a wide range of cultures through a shared love of music? The Carrickmacross World Choir of course. And for the uninitiated, this is a good time to find out more as they are seeking to swell their ranks with new members.
Supported by Volunteer Monaghan, the choir includes local singers and people who have come to Ireland from around the world, creating a unique community built on friendship, inclusion and song.
The choir recently wowed audiences at Magheracloone Community Centre during Culture Night, bringing proceedings to a close with a lively setlist that had many of the 150-strong crowd singing and dancing along. The Anglo-Celt was there too to find out more.
Rosaleen Coleman from Carrickmacross joined for the social aspect of the group.
“I wanted to be part of something and I get great fun out of it, we’re great friends. I enjoy it and I love the music. I love to sing,” she says.
Bernie Farrell, also from Carrickmacross, relishes the cultural richness.
“I love choral singing. I just think it’s very uplifting and good for the spirit. I suppose the reason I joined this choir is because I like the diversity, it’s so inclusive. We have members from our own area, and we also have a lot of our immigrant population. That really appealed to me.”
Máire Larney had drifted away from singing, but has found returning a rewarding experience.
“I hadn’t sung in decades. I saw a poster up outside the library. I thought I’d love to get back into a wee bit of singing; and then the fact that it’s a world choir, I just thought it sounded interesting. Now that I’m in it, it’s fun and I’ve learned so much.
“I love that we can all just express ourselves, that’s what it’s all about.”
Interestingly, the three local women didn’t know each other before joining the World Choir.
Lizette Shalanyuy, originally from Cameroon, said the choir has helped forge friendships across cultures and nationalities.
“I love singing. It makes me very, very happy because it’s a way of expressing myself. What I really enjoy is the fact that we come together as different people from different countries, and through the choir we’ve formed great friendships. It’s brilliant to be part of something that brings people together.”
Aigbe Sandra Liberty, from Nigeria, says joining had given her the opportunity to meet people from many different backgrounds while sharing a love of music.
“I joined the choir last year and it’s a beautiful place to sing and learn new songs. What I love most is that there are people from many different countries, cultures and languages, all coming together in one group. Everyone brings something different through their music and traditions, and we get to learn from each other while singing together. It’s a brilliant experience and I’d love to see more people get involved because it’s a great way to meet people, make friends and feel part of a community.”
The choir is coordinated by Barbara Egan, who explains how the idea grew from a town meeting in Carrickmacross where a young refugee with a passion for music spoke about the power of singing to help people connect.
“The best way for people to get on together and integrate is through music,” Barbara recalled him saying.
She explained how she initially hoped to establish a fusion group combining traditional Irish music with music from other cultures. Instead, that concept developed into the World Choir, which now performs regularly across the county and is always keen to welcome new members, regardless of experience.