Some of the old favourites as well as new arrangements of traditional carols will be included in the Ulster University Choir’s repertoire for their annual Christmas Carol Service in the St Columb’s Church in the Waterside next month.

This will be the choir’s fourth carol service and the first to be held in the Waterside area of the city. The Christmas carol service is one of many initiatives to help to promote good community relations between students and residents living in the University area. Previous carol services were held in Christ Church, St Patrick’s Pennyburn and the Guildhall.

Members of the choir include staff and students from the University’s Magee campus and local residents. Jim Kelley, chairman of the Aberfoyle and Duncreggan Residents’ Association, said:

“Choral music is a wonderful way to build bridges and can be most enjoyable, both for people singing in the choir as well as the audiences. By having the service at a different venue each year, we are taking the music out into the community and opening it up to a much wider audience to enjoy.

As a founder member of the choir, Mr Kelley says he is well aware of the commitment involved but like everyone else in the choir he know that the endless hours of practice will pay off when they perform.

“Throughout the year we practice twice a week, two hours each night under the direction of Dr Shaun Ryan.  Coming up to a performance, we put in extra practices so while it is a big commitment, working together in the choir helps create a sense of community spirit and improve the area that we live in.”

In addition to the annual carol service, the Ulster University choir has performed at various venues throughout the city, as well as in Letterkenny and Donegal Town.

Mr Kelley adds that at a time when some people are often quick to criticise students, he says he has nothing but praise and admiration for the younger members of the choir.

“Their commitment is inspirational and we are all really looking forward to singing at the carol service, which is one of the highlights of the year for the choir.”

The programme will include congregational singing of traditional Christmas carols like O Come All Ye Faithful, the choir’s interpretation of new arrangements of Away in A Manger and Jesus Christ the Apple Tree as well as a candlelit procession to the 16th century carol Gaudete.

The Ulster University choir will be performing at two carol services in December. On Monday, December 10, there will be a service for staff and students in the Great Hall at the Magee campus at 2.15 pm.  The community service which is open to everyone will be on Tuesday December 11 in St Columb’s Church, Waterside at 7.30 pm. Seasonal refreshments will be served afterwards. 

For further information, please contact:

David Young
Telephone: 028 90366074
Email: David Young