Members of the GLOR Youth Choir, which is based in Moate, toast their sucess at the North Wales International Choral Festival

Top three finish for GLOR Youth Choir at international festival

Celebrations are in order this week for the members of the GLOR Youth Choir, which is based in Moate, after they achieved a top three finish in the prestigious North Wales International Choral Festival.

The Choir was established by Ciaran Brady, founder of the 'Academy of Music' in Tullamore, in 2008 as a training ground for young singers from across the Midlands who are in secondary school. Members work with sheet music, learn to sight read and receive vocal training with graded exams.

Their latest win in North Wales comes on the back of a number of major successes in various competitions since they transitioned from a treble mixed choir into a youth choir. Among their many successes to date has been first place at Kilkenny Music Festival (2016); 2nd place in the Junior Cycle competition at Navan Choral Festival (2017) and 2nd place in the Liturgical Music choirs competition at Navan Choral Festival (2018). Also, in 2018, the GLOR Choir was honoured to be invited to sing at the Christmas Day Service on RTE1 Television which was broadcast from RTE Studios on Christmas Day,

After travelling to Wales to take part in the Open competition at the North Wales Choral Festival, the young members of the GlOR Youth Choir came third in what was a very competitive section of the competition, beating off very stiff competition against choirs from all over England, Wales, Scotland and Dublin.

Such has been the success of the GLOR Youth Choir that Ciaran Brady also set up the GLOR Children's Choir specifically for primary school children from across the Midlands. The Children's Choir is currently in rehearsals for the RDS Feis Ceoil in Dublin for competitions on Tuesday, March 21 next.

The conductor of both choirs, Ciaran Brady, is a professional Vocal Coach and conductor of many award winning choirs across the Midlands.

Both the GLOR Youth Choir and the GLOR Children's Choir rehearse every Thursday in the Tuar Ard Theatre in Moate, and new members are always welcome.