GMIT Voices win “Best Newcomer” at prestigious choir competition

Monday, April 15, 2019 Press Office
Press Release

GMIT’s new workplace choir, GMIT Voices, were crowned "Best Newcomer" on Saturday evening (13 April) at the annual SCCUL Choir Factor Competition which took place in Clarinbridge. The choir of 65 took to the stage singing Choir Director Sean Rowland’s own acapella arrangement of “Down to the River To Pray” followed by Katy Perry’s “Rise” with piano accompaniment for the judge, Dr Brendan O’Connor, and the audience who responded with rapturous applause. 

Against tough competition from ‘High Fidelity’ from Fidelity Investments and ‘Local Vocals’ from Galway Corporation/Council, the GMIT choir were thrilled to take home the winner’s trophy for their category. Formed just two months ago as part of the college’s Healthy Campus workplace initiative which promotes positive mental health and wellbeing, GMIT Voices is under the direction of local pianist and teacher Sean Rowland. “The choir have worked extremely hard and I am so pleased for them. It’s a great boost for the staff and the college itself. This was the choir’s first ever public performance outside of GMIT and I couldn’t be any more proud” said Sean.

With participation from all departments across campus, the new workplace choir has been a huge success. Chairperson of the Healthy Campus Committee Anita Mahony had this to say “GMIT Voices has had a wonderful effect on the staff of GMIT and the culture of the Institute. Over 100 staff have come to some of our choir practices and more are still planning to join when their schedules are less hectic.”

With further plans already in place for more upcoming performances, GMIT Voices are also looking forward to returning to Choir Factor next year and competing in the Established Choir section and the hope is that GMIT will also have another choir in the newcomer section as a student choir is planned for September supported by the Students Union, with Sean Rowland as Director.

The sold-out event was in aid of the SCCUL Sanctuary who run tailored therapeutic retreat days for community groups and members of the public who are facing a crisis in their lives or in need of healing.  More information can be found on www.scculsanctuary.com GMIT Voices can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Issued by the GMIT Communications Officer Regina Daly.
Tel 00 353 91742826 email: regina.daly@gmit.ie
See:  www.gmit.ie/news