A sparkling year-end celebration for the hardest working choir in Dublin –  Cantóirí finished

another sterling year with a knock-out performance at the Voices by the Sea Festival in Greystones on Saturday 30th June 2012. This choral and family event held at Greystones Rugby Club hosted a pride of prestigious choirs on multiple stages, acts included the Hallelujah Gospel Choir, Ireland Unlimited, Galway Tribal Choir, Dublin Welsh Male Voice Choir and Third Day Chorale.

Cantóirí performed a selection of songs to an attentive audience, lighting up the stage (or stand) with Monteverdi’s magnificent Si ch’io vorrei morir, Passereau’s playful Il est bel et bon and the celestial Factum est Silentium by Richard Dering.

The African-American spiritual This Train, arranged by David Thomas, always an audience favourite was followed by a stunning version of the Finnish song  On suuri sun rantas autius with a beautiful solo by Sarah Turpinand the dynamic Geantraí as arranged by Dublin composer Michael McGlynn.

Concluding the set, Cantóirí performed Dramolett, a contemporary piece by Hungarian composer György Orbán, the haunting A Litany by William Walton and the contagiously quirky Russian folk song Veniki. A very fitting finale for a fantastic day!

Cantóirí were honoured to be included as part of the Bloomsday celebrations in Dublin on Saturday afternoon 16th June 2012. This very prestigious invitation was extended by Morgan  Crowley, the Artistic Director and Coordinator for Bloomsday Events on behalf of the James Joyce Centre Dublin. The performance took place at the bandstand in Stephen’s Green to a windswept but appreciative audience of Joycean fans.

Cantóirí performed two songs from their extensive repertoire, the jaunting This Train arranged by David Thomas and a sonorous rendition of Dramolett by György Orbán. The Bloomsday/Cantóirí synergy was recognised by Irish Times journalist Derek Scally who mentioned our performance in The Irish Times Monday edition 18th June 2012, commenting that This Train was “the kind of music Joyce would have listened to in Paris.”

Greystones RFC are pleased to announce the event of the summer, on the 30th June 2012 in Dr Hickey Park, Greystones, with gates open from 12 noon.

“Voices by the Sea” is a day of music celebration, hosting many interesting styles of choirs and music of the highest calibre, performing for us, from many parts of Ireland.

Our first choir will be taking the “North Beach Stage” at 12.30, while on our 2nd ”South Beach Stage”, entertainment will be provided by a mix of eclectic vocal and instrumental entertainers, both stages in tandem.

As well as being a very important community event for the beautifully picturesque town of Greystones, nestling under the backdrop of the Co Wicklow hills, and overlooking two, quite glorious beaches, VBTS offers a wide variety of entertaining activity for locals and visitors alike, and for all family groups.

Along with this high standard of performers, there will also be a vast array of amusements, demonstrations, and very many attractions on offer for the day.

There will be a host of local sport clubs on hand to introduce you to the pleasures of what it is that they do, with showcases, demonstrations and fun challenges, so you never know, you may become their next sporting legend.

It is envisaged that this event will attract numerous visitors to Greystones for their first time, giving them the opportunity to sample and enjoy this fabulous event, and we look forward to welcoming new friends to our town centre.

Access is so easy! With our train and DART services arriving straight into the town centre station, there will be a shuttle service to and from the ground for the day, or perhaps you might like the 8/10 minute walk. Covered seating will be available on-site.

The N11 dual carriageway (exit 11) enters Greystones adjacent to the Rugby Club, and there will be ample car parking facilities provided around the venue.