Our Blog

Magnificat Concerts

By choralJune 16, 2022No Comments

On behalf of all the committee here at UDCS, we would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to those who performed, and attended our concerts.

It was a great night of choral music, especially after our concerts had been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a choir, we have experienced quite the impact during the lockdowns over the past two years. Our rehearsals had shifted online, we couldn’t hear each other in unison – a benchmark of choral music, and we didn’t get a chance to gather for social events for quite some time.

Similar to other groups in the event industry, we were the first to shut down, and one of the last to get back in operation again. However, we never gave up. As a choir, we embraced this online shift and still went ahead.

In September 2021, we were optimistic that a concert could happen within the academic year. It was a time of uncertainty for all. We resumed rehearsals in October. Winter 2021 had proved challenging for all due to the rising cases. February 2022, we started back rehearsing.

In March, we were so proud to announce we would be performing again, after a 2 year in-person hiatus.

It is journeys like these that make these concerts so worth it. We are back, and will come back stronger in the next academic year, 2022 – 2023

On a special note, we’d like to extend our thanks to the friends, vice patrons, and the patrons of our society for supporting our society throughout the years, especially during the lockdown periods.

 

We look forward to seeing you all at our events.

UDCS Committee

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Hilary Term Concert Cancelled

By Christopher MaherMarch 12, 2020No Comments
Hi all,

It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the cancellation of our Hilary Term concerts on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th of March. The college is closing as of today until the 29th March in accordance with government guidelines concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a result the CSC has suspended all society events planned for the period of closure.
We shall do our best to ensure our choir’s hard work has not gone to waste, and that this programme may be performed in part or in total during a semester in the near future. As you may imagine, everything is a little up in the air.

Despite everything, we managed to successfully carry out our AGM last night. With Dermot Frost expertly taking the lead as Chair, this went off without a hitch; we successfully welcomed in a new committee for the next academic year. A handover will be carried out as and when social gatherings are once again permitted without the fear of endangering public health.
On behalf of the outgoing committee, I would like to offer my sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused by these proceedings (it has been a stressful few days…). We would also like to thank our choir members for all their hard work and dedication to this programme for the last few months – regardless of this untimely end to the semester, we have had a blast singing with you all.

Huge thanks also to our audience members, Friends, orchestra members, soloists, anonymous donors, the TCD Association and Trust, the Visual and Performing Arts Fund Committee, and all who have supported the choir this year. I would like to personally thank David Leigh for his continuing commitment to the choir, our auditors John Hynes and David Chew for putting up with me, and – last but not least – our wonderful Hon. Secretary Áine Dineen.
I could easily write a book on everything Áine has done and is continuing to do for this choir, and we will never be able to thank her enough for it all – though if you do happen to see her around, don’t hesitate in trying to do just that! Do not, however, try to convince her to return to rehearsals next semester…
On that note: take care, wash your hands properly and regularly, and tune in next time for Choral Society 2020/21!

Yours truly,

Isobel
Hon. Treasurer UDCS

 

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Hillary Term Concert 18th & 19th March

By Christopher MaherFebruary 29, 2020No Comments

Phew! That semester flew by!

Our Magnificat concert is swiftly approaching, and we would be delighted if you could join us in the Exam Hall (TCD Campus) on Wednesday 18th March and/or Thursday 19th March. There’s nothing like some choral music after the chaos of St. Patrick’s weekend: bring your friends, family, classmates, coworkers, first dates and life-long partners for a wonderful evening of quality chorus. We’ve had a blast practising for this one – Rutter is about as jazzy as one can find in the choral repertoire, and Bach is his usual zesty self; we’ve certainly been kept on our toes.

In the intervening weeks we have also hosted our annual acapella competition, the Cherry Cup! Adjudicated by Dr. Marion Doherty, two spirited quartets battled it out over ‘April is in my Mistress’ Face’, with experienced choristers and long-term members Ross, Aoife, Gayle and David pipping their competitors to the post – commiserations to our runner-ups Chris, Caroline, Darien and Rachel! We do extend warm congratulations to every competing singer however, it was a lovely end to our usual Wednesday rehearsals and we enjoyed each performance heartily.

Also of note: our AGM will take place on Wednesday the 11th March ahead of our usual rehearsals, which will in turn be followed by some slap-up platters courtesy of the Choral Society bank account. Come along for the free food and stay for the wildly entertaining Treasurer’s Report, am I right?

Until next time,

Isobel Hon. Treasurer UDCS

 

Our concerts this term are proudly supported by the Trinity Association and Trust @TCDTrust
Visit http://www.udcs.org/trinity-association-and-trust for more information.

 

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Trinity Association and Trust

By Christopher MaherFebruary 29, 2020No Comments

Our concerts this term are proudly supported by the Trinity Association and Trust @TCDTrust

The Trinity Association & Trust provides grant support for a wide variety of College projects where funding is not available from mainstream resources.

One of the main sources of funding for the Trinity Association & Trust comes from the Trinity Affinity Credit Card. With over 10,000 cardholders to date, a percentage of the annual turnover on these cards is donated back to College by Bank of Ireland. The more graduates and staff join, the more Trinity benefits.

All income from the Trinity Affinity credit card supports the work of the Trust in providing grant support for the unique Trinity educational experience in areas such as Academic Research, Student Welfare, Student Travel, Clubs and Societies. The Bank of Ireland donation from your annual spend comes at no cost to you and without any disclosure of confidential account details.

Further information: https://www.tcd.ie/alumni/services/affinity-credit-card/

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First Rehearsal of 2020

By Christopher MaherJanuary 22, 2020No Comments

A very happy new year from all of us here at the Choral Society.

We are delighted to announce that this Hilary Term we will have the opportunity to perform the contrasting pieces of

Bach Magnificat
&
Rutter Magnificat

Our first rehearsal of term will be held tonight, Wednesday the 22nd of January 2020 from 7-9pm in Regent House, Front Square, Trinity College Dublin. If you would like to join us you are more than welcome to come along, no audition required! We rehearse weekly and will be accepting sign ups until the 5th of February.

 

Our concerts this term are proudly supported by the Trinity Association and Trust @TCDTrust

The Trinity Association & Trust provides grant support for a wide variety of College projects where funding is not available from mainstream resources.

One of the main sources of funding for the Trinity Association & Trust comes from the Trinity Affinity Credit Card. With over 10,000 cardholders to date, a percentage of the annual turnover on these cards is donated back to College by Bank of Ireland. The more graduates and staff join, the more Trinity benefits.

All income from the Trinity Affinity credit card supports the work of the Trust in providing grant support for the unique Trinity educational experience in areas such as Academic Research, Student Welfare, Student Travel, Clubs and Societies. The Bank of Ireland donation from your annual spend comes at no cost to you and without any disclosure of confidential account details.

Further information: https://www.tcd.ie/alumni/services/affinity-credit-card/

We hope you will join us for an exciting term ahead,

 

Regards,

 

Áine Dineen

Hon. Secretary

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Freshers week 2019

By Christopher MaherSeptember 02, 20192 Comments

Welcome back to a brand new year with DU Choral Society!  Come find us at our Freshers Fair stand to renew your membership or join up for the first time – we’re armed and ready with free donut vouchers and guaranteed addition to the mailing list (we PROMISE).  Alternatively, feel free to sign-up at our first rehearsal of the year:

1ST REHEARSAL

WEDNESDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER

COLLEGE CHAPEL

6.30 – 9.00PM

Returning members will know the long process of signing-up and payment of score deposits at first rehearsal, so where it is humanly possible the committee would hugely appreciate timely arrival at 6.30pm.  Refundable score deposits are €10!!!  Please be aware that without a valid score deposit, we cannot provide you with a score for the semester/year.

Following the rehearsal we will be heading out on the town for our traditional platters and pints (the food is on us)!

Every Wednesday night from the 18th Sept onwards will see us gathering in Regent House for rehearsals from 7.00 – 9.00pm as per usual.

 

See you soon!

Isobel x

Treasurer UDCS

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Michaelmas Concert 2018

By conalOctober 25, 20182 Comments

Our Michaelmas performances of Haydn's Nelson Mass will take place on Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd of November. Accompanied by two other short pieces from Haydn's repertoire (Te Deum laudamus and Insanae et Vanae Curae) these performances - set in the breathtaking and historic  surroundings of Trinity College's Examination Hall - promise to be unmissable events this November.

Tickets can be bought online here

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