The Gardiner Street Gospel choir has had a busy weekend launching a new album with a concert on Friday and then on Sunday
opening the Soul Picnic at Merrion Square in Dublin.
The choir, which
sings at Gardiner Street Church, held its concert on Friday May 24th at
the O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin 1, which was the venue for the choir’s
first concert almost 13 years ago.
“We're also using it as an opportunity to raise funds for two
fantastic charities, Headway and Temple Street Children's Hospital,”
said the organisers.
The charity Headway is very special for the choir as its guitarist
Anto was left in a coma after a vicious attack in September 1997. He
came out of the coma after three months during which his father had
passed away. The medical staff thought he might not talk or walk again.
They put him in touch with Headway which he said opened his eyes to
brain injuries.
“Everybody was afraid of the unknown. God couldn't throw any more
at me!” he recalled.
“They (Headway) are a brilliant support group.
People just don't know how delicate the brain is. The hospital fixed my
body but Headways brought normality back to my life. They listen to
people with brain injuries and guide them. Their patience helped give me
back my confidence.”
At Temple Street Hospital the funds raised will help to redevelop
one of the oldest and busiest wards, St Joseph's, where children with
serious injuries are admitted through Accident and Emergency.
The Gospel Choir’s new album, Lift Your Voice, features 13 of its
best-known interpretations of traditional gospel songs and contemporary
favourites with a gospel twist including I Sings, Bridge Over Troubled
Water, Joyful Joyful and I Can't Wait To Meetchu.
The choir was set up in March 2000 by Kevin Kelly to encourage
young people to return to mass and to make the mass a more joyful and
meaningful experience for all. But its fame has spread far and wide with
performances in venues including The Olympia, National Concert Hall and
the Gaiety.
The choir has appeared regularly on RTE, TV3 and National
radio stations. They released their first album. One Love in 2002.
Backed by a band of six the choir continues to convey the gospel
message through music and has made the mass a true celebration, bringing
the liturgy to life and helping to increase the sense of community at
St Francis Xavier Church at Gardiner Street in Dublin.
The Choir is
present at the church for 7.30 pm mass every Sunday and the repertoire includes everything from traditional old style gospel to contemporary tracks with a gospel feel.
The album is available via iTunes, Spotify, Rdio, CD Baby and at at the weekly gospel mass.