Successful Samaritans concert hosted by St Peter and Paul’s in Athlone
A crowd of approximately 900 people gathered for the 34th Annual Samaritans Christmas Concert which took place in the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Athlone, on Thursday last, December 5.
This was a return to the concert's original venue after 18 years in the now-closed St Anthony's Franciscan Church.
The larger church looked magnificent on the night with beautiful lighting, seasonal ribbon decorations, and a splendid Christmas tree. The organisers extended their sincere appreciation to parish priest, Fr John Deignan, to Fr Joseph, Fr Christopher, and to the Church Sacristans, Christine and Sandra.
The musical support for the concert was again provided by the Band of 2 Brigade who have always been very willing and enthusiastic participants.
This year the band had two conductors, the newly-commissioned Capt William Chester conducted the first part of the programme, featuring ‘A Jubilant Overture’, ‘Wexford Rhapsody’ and ‘A Christmas Festival’.
The second part, conducted by the experienced Capt John Carpenter, delighted with the March from the film ‘1941’, an arrangement entitled ‘Sax, Wind and Funk’ that featured Sgts Kenny Lee and Adrian Hughes, along with Bandsmen Alan McCormack and Martin Meegan, ‘Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer’ and ‘Sleigh Ride’.
The guest choir were the award-winning Athlone A Cappella who performed amazing harmonies, singing ‘Fix You’, ‘And So It Goes’, ’Silent Night’ and ‘Carol of the Bells’.
The popular Athlone Pipe Band made their now customary entry, playing as they marched, from the back of the church to their area in front of the band. They were supported by the band in playing stirring renditions of ‘Highland Cathedral’ and ‘Tostal’ to the delight of attendees.
Paul Linehan, a proud Cork man, was the guest soloist. He impressed the audience with his powerful tenor voice and his warm, relaxed personality, giving wonderful renditions of the popular arias and songs ‘O Sole Mio’, ‘Music of the Night’, ‘Blaze Away’, ‘Nessun Dorma’, ‘Mille Cherubini in Coro’ and ‘Isle of Hope’, with the latter earning a standing ovation.
The concert closed with a group sing-along of ‘Away in a Manger’ and ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’.
The eloquent Joe MacCarrick kindly reprised as Compere for the concert, commenting on how the Samaritans’ Concert always marked, for him, the real beginning of Christmas. This was a sentiment applauded by the audience.
Joe also thanked the generous sponsors of the concert for their support, as it is the main fundraising event of the year for the entirely-voluntary Athlone and Midland Branch of the Samaritans.
There was no doubt, from the audience reactions, that the concert was a major success and that it has transitioned very smoothly from the Friary to Ss Peter and Pauls’ Church.
Deirdre Collins, on behalf of all the Samaritan volunteers, would like to thank all the sponsors and everyone who attended. She also thanked everyone who came along to help on the night.
She reminds everyone that the Samaritans are available on 116 123, 24 hours a day, for anybody who might be feeling lonely, depressed, isolated or suicidal.
* For a page of photos from the concert, see this week's Westmeath Independent