Athlone A Cappella performs at prestigious barbershop convention

Athlone A Cappella (AAC) recently attended the annual IABS (Irish Association of Barbershop Singers) convention in Killarney and performed an excellent set, receiving their highest marks ever!

AAC is a close harmony barbershop group made up of 44 members. A Cappella music is a performance by a singer or choir without instrumental accompaniment. AAC began life with only 12 members under the tutelage of David Farmer and has grown over the years to the present membership. AAC has been back together for about three years post-Covid and is now under the directorship of Hilary Roche, who was a former member of the Lead section. Hilary is a music teacher in her own right, and it is thanks to her that AAC has made great progress in the last two years - building upon the groundwork established by David Farmer.

In the last few years, the IABS convention has been held in Killarney - previously it had been held in Cork, Waterford and Ennis. The competition attracts National Irish choirs and quartets as well as International choirs and quartets from such places as the UK, Canada and Sweden.

AAC performed with a ballad Can’t Help Falling in Love, famously sung by Elvis, and You Don’t Own Me, which was originally sung by Lesley Gore in 1963, and covered by Dusty Springfield. There were many accomplished groups from across Ireland who performed on the day, but AAC was delighted with their performance on stage and was thrilled to be able to achieve their highest score ever. The competition was intense and, with the change in categories recently, AAC was now up against mixed choirs with female and male singers, as well as men’s choruses. In terms of female choruses, AAC was second only to Mnásome, who hail from many different towns across Ireland.

AAC had worked diligently on their singing and moves in the lead up to the competition over the last few weeks. Marks in the competition are allotted for singing, music and performance. AAC were very proud and delighted to increase their score and to be deemed to be in the ‘outstanding’ category – validation indeed for the months of hard work and dedication.

AAC was treated to a celebratory Gala Dinner with the other competitors at the INEC Gleneagles Hotel in Killarney. Afterwards, the performers were able to relax and meet up with old friends from other choruses. AAC delighted the audience with their renditions of Billy Joel’s And So It Goes, as well as a crowd pleasing version of ELO’s Mr Blue Sky.

Athlone A Cappella will next perform at the annual Samaritans Christmas concert which will take place on December 11 in St Peter and Paul’s Church. There will also be an opportunity in late December to see AAC perform Christmas carols in Golden Island for charity.

At the moment, AAC is seeking new singers - if you are interested in joining the AAC chorus, practice takes place every Wednesday night in the Bower school in Athlone from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

AAC is interested in taking on new members with an interest and aptitude for singing, so please contact athloneacappella@outlook.com or send a message directly on the Athlone A Cappella Facebook page.