Virtual carol service keeping spirits high
Music lovers and the parishioners of Kilmessan in particular have been enjoying a real treat over the past few days as Kilmessan Choir is sharing a virtual carol service.
The talented choir's performance is on Facebook, local WhatsApp groups and other platforms until Christmas Day and has been delighting all who see it.
Musical director, Lisa Rooney compiled the service, which includes carol singing, prayers and reflections, from recordings choir members made at home.
"We started the year hoping we would have a 10 year anniversary concert, but it soon became apparent that that would not happen this year," says Lisa.
"During lockdown we put together a weekly prayer service that included readings, reflection poems, songs/hymns. Each week a different group or club would lead the service and it offered our community a way of keeping connected with each other. Just before the churches opened in July, we created a very special final prayer service that recognised all of our front line workers in Kilmessan. We used photos to create a photo story of our gardai, nurses, chemists , living in Kilmessan to highlight how much we appreciated their dedication to our community and beyond.
"The children's choir sent in cards, letters and treats to a nursing home in Navan, which we had previously visited the home before lockdown. The Meath Chronicle recognised their work and awarded them a Local Lockdown hero award which we were delighted to receive.
"We recorded a special video to create awareness for Jigsaw - a young peoples mental health service, also during lockdown. Thanks to the support of Jay Quinlan we recorded the song ‘Fix You’ from Coldplay. We recorded the video in Balgeeth Woods, thanks to Martin Oakes. The message from the video is that there may not always be light and we may get lost in the forest but we will find our way out with the support from Jigsaw who are there to help young people from 12 years."
The video can be seen on youtube Treble Trouble Children’s Choir ‘FIx You’.
Lisa points out that at this time of year, they would normally be in full rehearsals for a Christmas concert or carol service.
"While we cannot be together we are rehearsing and learning new carols via zoom. The usual banter and talking which is present every week normally is now very silent and I cannot wait to have everyone in front of me and unmuted. Zoom is very different from what we are used to, but it keeps us connected and that is what is important for people.
"Maybe this time next year we will celebrate our 11 year concert anniversary but for now we will continue to sing which ever way we can observing all the guidelines and hoping that our normal choir rehearsals can resume when it is safe to do so," she said.