Music Matters

Inclusive Community Choir

Newsletter – July 2014

Musical Director: Gráinne O’Grady www.facebook.com/inclusivechoir e: info@musicmatters.ie www.facebook.com/musicmatters2012 M: 087-9803020 www.musicmatters.ie www.twitter.com/InclusiveChoir www.musicmatterschoir.blogspot.ie

Rehearsal Venue: MACRO Building, 1 Green St, Dublin 7 (Every Wednesday 7.00 – 9.00 PM)

June was a fantastic and thrilling month for Music Matters Inclusive Community Choir!!

The month ended with a really busy and energetic week in Axis Ballymun, where we recorded our debut album, along with our special invited guests – the talented young people from Ossia Youth Choir Our members are now taking a well-deserved Summer Break from rehearsals until Wednesday 6th August

Then we will prepare for our FIRST EVER concert outside Dublin!! On Sunday 10th August, we will perform at the Moynalty Thrashing Fair in Co. Cavan – all thanks to Margaret Farrelly, our “Secret Millionaire” for inviting us! We will then take another break from rehearsals until Wednesday 3rd September Music Matters would like to thank ALL of our members, their families, and our volunteers

for all of your hard work, dedication and support

We hope you have a Brilliant Summer!!

Forget-Me-Nots Choir in “The Upside News” The Forget-Me-Nots choir rehearses every Tuesday from 11.00 AM – 12.30 PM in the Baldoyle Community Hall. This choir is the sixth to be directed by Gráinne O’Grady, and it follows on from the resounding success of the two “Musical Memories” choirs in Deansgrange and Stillorgan, which were established in September 2013. In June 2014,”The Upside News” – a local newspaper for the Baldoyle area, featured an article on the Forget-Me-Nots choir and their official launch, which took place on Tuesday 8th April 2014. The FULL article can be accessed here: http://musicmatterschoir.blogspot.ie/2014/06/forget-me-nots-choir-to-remember-in.html The Forget-Me-Nots will have their last rehearsal on Tuesday 22nd July, to take their Summer Break. Rehearsals will resume on Tuesday 2nd September 2014

Interview with Norah Casey (“Mindfeed” on Newstalk 106-108 FM) On Sunday 15th June, Gráinne O’Grady (Founder and Musical Director) and Elaine Caul (Choir Member and Social Media Manager), were interviewed by Norah Casey, as part of her programme “Mindfeed” on Newstalk 106-108 FM The FULL programme with Norah’s special guests which include Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh and David Essex can be found here: http://www.newstalk.ie/player/listen_back/15053/10613/15th_June_2014_-_MindFeed_Part_1 (forward to 49.15 for Gráinne and Elaine) An audio recording of Norah's interview with Gráinne & Elaine, along with a photo slideshow can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MMe2gBABX4

Recording Week at Axis Ballymun From Monday 30th June – Friday 4th July, Music Matters and our friends at Ossia Youth Choir took up “official residence” at Axis Ballymun. All of our members made their own contribution to the album - whether it was through contributing ideas for song lyrics in workshops facilitated by Norah Walsh, a composer, music arranger and pianist with Ossia Youth Choir and/or participating in the Art Workshops, which were led by Beverley Ashton, a Community Arts Worker who had travelled all the way from Co. Clare for Recording Week

As the recording studios are quite small, our members were brought down in small groups to sing their parts. Our soloists include Joanna, Elaine, Kevin and Naoise, Dave and special guest Helen McEvilly. Kevin wrote his own song, and he and Naoise recorded it as a duet. Have your tissues at the ready, as this song promises to be a real “tear-jerker!”

Beverley Ashton led Art Worskhops all week, in which our members and volunteers helped her to design an album cover, huge “Thank You” banner for Axis Ballymun & Dublin City Council and gigantic backdrop, which will be used at the album launch!

Our members were also keen to have photos taken with Joe Cleere, our Sound Engineer for the week, who made sure everyone was put at their ease and did not feel too nervous. Our members with visual impairments even took part in a guided “touch tour” of the mixing desk!

We would like to thank our musicians Norah Walsh and Josh Johnston (piano), Neville Lloyd (bass guitar), Anna Keary and Jennifer Sullivan (violin), Zoe Dolan (tuba) and those who also played acoustic guitar and drums. Thanks to Carmel Whelan(Musical Director) and the talented young people from Ossia Youth Choir, who we are delighted to have singing with us on this amazing project. Thank you to Niamh Ni Chonchubhair, Programme Manager and all the staff at Axis Ballymun, for ensuring this last week ran smoothly. We are also grateful to Bernie Doherty, from the Community & Social Development Section of Dublin City Council and to Councillor Andrew Montague, without whom this project would not be possible!

Next Stop: Our Album Launch – Axis Ballymun, Tuesday 23rd September 2014