Tara SIngers of the Queensland Irish Association have had a busy few months.
Our audience loved With a Song in My Heart in August featuring guest baritone
Dimitri Kopanakis.
Meanwhile, we have been recording songs for a new CD titled The Water is Wide. This will be launched at our next concert at the Queensland Irish Association in October.
Our guest in October is the distinguished harpist and singer from Dublin, Claire Roche, who has also recorded songs for our CD. Claire has performed with us for three events at the Irish Association, and is one of our most popular solo guest artists.
Claire is also looking forward to her forthcoming Australian tour which begins in New South Wales - concerts at Mosman Art Gallery, at Parramatta, in the Blue Mountains, at Dubbo, Bathurst, Maitland - before she comes to Brisbane for two concerts. Then she flies to New Zealand as guest artist and judge for the Féis of the Kapiti Coast Irish Association.
``I am constantly drawn back to this wondrous land, Australia,`` says Claire. ``The people are absolutely wonderful, so friendly, full of life, wit and warmth. I love the huge effort to have stewardship of the land and the wildlife. Having visited some rain forests, I am enchanted by the creatures and the birds, the antiquity of the trees and the ancient culture you hold. I was amazed at the flight to Perth, over the great expanse of the middle Australia. The cities too are vibrant and stunning to the eye.
``Audiences are very similar no matter wherever I go. The harp and the music seem to reach into memories. Everywhere people will say that their mother or father or grandparent sang that song, or else they learned it at school. With the vast Irish emigration, especially after the 17th century, there are literally millions of Irish 'Dispora' and so the music was carried away, and often beautifully melded with the host country's indigenous music.
``It is very, very moving for me to witness the reaction of the listeners, a song like Danny Boy, for instance must be known world wide, and it still remains to have particular resonance for people. I am careful to play lively Irish tunes, and even two harps at once, so as not to let the guests go home in a gloom. I also love testing to see if an audience will enjoy my own songs, and it is a wonderful gift if they can feel what I feel with the words, and the picture I am trying to share with them.``
We look forward to welcoming Claire back to Brisbane. Here are the dates of her performances:
Thursday October 16, 2008 at 6.30 pm:
Whispering Hope
Irish harpist\singer
Claire Roche
recital in association with
Tara Trio (vocal)
This is a program of contrasts. It includes:
Il est Né; Óró Mo Bháidín; Marble Halls;
Dear Harp of my Country; Early One Morning; Whispering Hope
- and many others
presented at 4MBS Classical FM Radio studio,
384 Old Cleveland Road, Coorparoo (Brisbane)
Tickets $20. Telephone 07 3847 1717
* * *
Sunday October 19, 2008 at 2 pm
The Anniversary Waltz
featuring guest artist
Irish harpist\singer
Claire Roche
presented with QIA Tara Singers
at QIA Tara Ballroom, 175 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane.
tickets $10 each.
Phone QIA 07 3221 5699 or Patricia Kelly 07 3343 7938
* * *
Preparations are also being made for the following events:
Sunday November 16, 2008 at 2 pm:
Joy to the World
A program of popular songs and Christmas carols at
St Brendan`s Parish Church,
88 Hamilton Road, Moorooka.
Uist Tramping Song; Galway Bay; Dingle Bay; Ave Maria; Joy to the World
- and many others
This charity event will support the Moorooka\Salisbury parish adoption program
with Bobanaro (East Timor)
Tickets $10. Telephone 07 3343 7938 - 07 2177 2583
* * *
Sunday December 7, 2008 at 2 pm:
Silent Night
Our annual Christmas program at the Irish Association, Elizabeth St, Brisbane
Tenor Giuseppe Sorbello joins us for wonderful music:
Gesu Bambino; Christmas Hosanna; The Holy City; O Holy Night; Joyful Noel;
Silent Night - and many others
Tickets $10. Telephone 07 3343 7938
* * *
Thursday December 11, 2008 at 7.30pm:
Silent Night
We take part in the annual Festival of Christmas Lights at St Gerard Majella
Church, West Chermside.
Telephone 07 3343 7938 for details on all these events.