It Lights the Whole Sky - Réalta Chamber Choir Performance

Saturday 23rd November

2pm-3.30pm

This concert presents Réalta for the first time within the choral landscape for the first time in a solo capacity.

The music has been chosen to showcase choral music for upper voices from the Renaissance era through to the 21st century. It will journey through sacred and folk music from all over the world, before focussing on a thematic section based around 'the night'.

As part of this 'night' section, we will premiere a new commissioned composition by contemporary composer, Cian Grant.

The conductor and Réalta Choir Director, Claire Grogan, I wanted to ensure that the music they would perform would tie in with the enchanting sonic surroundings of the gallery. With that in mind, she suggested that Cian and the wider choir consider the work of the artist, John Graham, whose exhibition Familiar Things is on view at this time.

In his composition, Cian focussed on the use of light and dark lines in John’s images and drew a comparison with forks of lightning on a blackened sky. From this, he created the piece Lightning, which is scored for upper voices and glockenspiel.

The title of the choir's programme comes from a line in one of their works, The Sun Never Says by Dan Forrest, a setting of the text by Daniel Ladinsky.

Listen to the Choir on Lyric FM: https://www.rte.ie/radio/lyricfm/clips/22329145/

ABOUT

Réalta Chamber Choir was established in September 2023 by Claire Grogan. Having grown up in the tradition of upper-voice singing under the direction of Ethna Barror in The Lindsay Singers, Claire always wanted to direct an auditioned choir that explored the diverse repertoire available to the female voice. Following her success directing the community choir, Voices of the Boyne, she put the call out for members of a new chamber choir in the summer of 2023.

From this, Réalta was formed. Some members have been singing with Claire for over 30 years, and others are more recent friends in music. While still being a relatively new choir, they are enjoying experimenting with different genres and styles, and getting used to their collective vocal colour. They were awarded 1st place in the Sacred Competition in Navan Choral Competition in 2024 having only been singing together for eight months.

The choir strives for a pure choral sound and always welcomes interest from new singers with a clear tone who can learn or read challenging music at a quick pace, and work collaboratively and respectfully with others.

Tea and coffee will be served after the performance in the Upper Gallery.

Host or Publisher Highlanes Gallery