The Cathedral of the Assumption in Sligo has launched a new fund-raising venture to pay for the restoration of its organ. The parish has decided that the organ, which has been in use for over a hundred years, will need remedial attention or possibly even have to be rebuilt. The Sligo Cathedral Church Organ Fund started last week with a free concert in the cathedral given by the American choir Albany Promusica, which gave a performance of Negro spiritual, traditional and folk songs.
The cathedral choir has a proud tradition and has performed at international events under its choral master Charles O’Connor. The forty-strong choir has also recently initiated the singing of Evening Vespers on each First Friday.
Mr O’Connor said the core work of the choir was performing each Sunday at midday Mass and paid tribute to the members of the group for putting in a three-hour stint on Monday evenings to prepare.
“For the solemn events at Christmas and Easter, they give greatly of their time and they are great to work with,” he added.
Parish priest Canon Tom Hever said that he was delighted the finance-raising campaign had begun with the American group and was very thankful that they had given their talents to launch it
Stressing the importance of singing in church liturgies, he said, “St Augustine said that he who sings prays twice.”
SIC: CIN