Kids ready for Singfest high
GLENBRIEN PUPILS IN FINAL REHEARSALS FOR 'VIVA LA MUSICA'
■ Pupils from Glenbrien National School rehearsing for this Friday's Singfest at Wexford Opera House.
Wednesday March 03 2010
THE SWEET voiced children of Glenbrien will play a full part in the spectacular 'Viva la Música!' production on Friday, March 5.
The students of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth classes in the parish national school have been rehearsing hard in preparation for the appearance on the stage of the magnificent Wexford Opera House.
The 36 singers from Glenbrien will be performing along with their friends from Clongeen, Kilmore and Ballycanew in the annual children's Singfest, a combined choir of more than 150. Preparations for the big event, featuring songs from Africa, China and Mexico as well as Ireland, have been going on since November.
The 'Viva la Música!' programme features a dozen numbers and each school will have its own moment in the spotlight. Glenbrien principal Padraig McManus has been very impressed by the way that Mary Amond O'Brien and Éanna McKenna have set about readying the students over nine visits to the school. The youngsters have been happy to put in extra rehearsals under teacher Marian Mahon, assisted by Louise Doyle.
'The children are very excited at the prospect,' says Padraig. 'They have been singing the songs at home.' The result of all the hard work will be exhibited in two shows at the opera house. Friday's matinee at 12.30 p.m. will be for schools from all over the county. Then at 8 p.m., the show will be presented to the general public.
The idea of an annual singfest for primary age singers has been driven for the past seven years by county council arts officer Rosaleen Molloy who says: 'It's a celebration of the immense choral talent of the young people of County Wexford and the only such non-competitive choral music education initiative of its kind in the country.'
Though the matinee is sold out, a few remaining tickets (€8 [children and O.A.P. €5]) are on sale at the Wexford Opera House box office, (053)9122144 for the evening show; or book online www.wexfordoperahouse.ie
