The basic ingredients for the foundation of a choir are talent, the desire to sing as part of a team, dedication and loyalty.
In 1976 about thirty ex-members of a Choir and of a Musical Society with which I had been associated suggested that I form our own choir. I knew that these people possessed the above requirements in abundance so I set about the task. In addition to our personal contacts I wrote to the national newspapers seeking assistance. Charles Acton of the Irish Times made a splendid contribution and invited potential members to assemble for rehearsal at Gort Mhuire, Dundrum on the following evening.Around sixty people turned up, each section was well represented so the Dublin County Choir was under way. During the initial period we concentrated on expression, blend and tone and succeeded in producing an excellent sound.
We proceeded to sing at concerts commencing in the R.D.S. Concert Hall on 26th may 1977.
We got great enjoyment from these performances and another big plus was that following each concert a few new members showed up at rehearsal on the following Monday. Socially too we were swinging with the craic after practice, the occasional party and trips to festivals.
During our second year having won first prize at Finglas Music Festival we completed in Arklow where the standard at the time was second only to that of Cork Choral Festival. We were again victorious in Arklow and I will never forget the thrill. When we had sung about four bars of the test piece - "God, Thou Art Great" (Arr. S.K. Hine) - I got a feeling that it was absolutely brilliant, and it was. Before the adjudicator - Brian Boydell - had completed his summing up, the secretary of the Arklow Festival made his way around to where I was standing and congratulated me. He told me afterwards that Brian had been adjudicating various competitions there for a week and that his compliments were very few and far between. So when he heard him say, "this is a very good choir" in relation to the Dublin County Choir he knew the result!After three highly satisfactory years with the Dublin County Choir I got a set-back through illness, not knowing what the future held (Thank God I made a complete recovery) I decided, reluctantly, in fairness to the members and people close to me, to resign.
I am so pleased that the Choir has kept on improving in numbers and standard of performance including vast expansion of repertoire.
I know most of the members, what a lovely lot. At times they tell me I should be proud but I genuinely believe it is themselves that this applies to. Whatever about the matter of pride I have a great advantage over them in that I can hear them perform live about three times yearly which is something I love and look forward to.
I send my best wishes to all concerned with great hopes of a very bright future.
Eamonn