Singing from the same hymn sheet – and with her daughter
By Mary Dennehy
LOCAL children are singing from the same hymn sheet as the first group of young singers who joined St Anne’s Children’s Choir in Bohernabreena more than 60 years ago.
Recently The Echo posted a picture of the choir from 1982 as part of its Throwback Tuesday Facebook feature, which posts coverage from the paper spanning the past 35 years.
After posting the 33-year-old photograph, The Echo got a call from one of the children in the picture, who is now the choir teacher.
Adele West Curran, originally from Bohernabreena but now living in Saggart, was a member of the children’s choir in 1982 and went on to become one of its leaders, with her daughter Rebecca (6) now a member.
Adele told The Echo how the choir was founded by Bohernabreena resident Rosie Corcoran in the ’60s, with the choir disbanding around 15 years ago after Rosie passed away.
“I have great memories of being in the choir,” Adele said.
“The whole choir used to travel around the county in the back of Rosie’s estate car to competitions, it was an amazing time – and obviously a time when 15 kids travelling in the same car was the norm.”
She added: “After Rosie sadly passed away, the choir disbanded for a few years until myself and Niamh McMahon re-established it.
“The choir is an important part of these kids’ lives now and encourages them to have the confidence in themselves to sing.
“The choir helps to build self-esteem and encourages all of the children to be the best that they can be. We involve every child in the singing and encourage them all to go for some of the solos.
“It also allows them to give something back to their community and to volunteer. It really is a great outlet and a lovely way to remember Rosie and be part of the history in the area – with my own daughter, who wears my original robe, now a member.”
The children’s choir is always open to new members between the age of six and 14, with current members hailing from Bohernabreena and surroundings areas such as Aylesbury, Firhouse and Ballycragh.
Over the Christmas they will perform at a Christmas Carol Service in St Anne’s this Sunday, December 20, at 6pm and the church’s Children’s Mass at 7pm on Christmas Eve.
For further details contact Adele on 087 2073077.
READ MORE
