CANTETTE Children’s Choir has gone from strength to strength since its humble beginnings 20 years ago.
And on Saturday, November 3, children – young and not-so-young – will come together in St. Mary’s Cathedral to celebrate the amazing Limerick talent that has at one time or another participated in Cantette.
This award-winning choir started out with nine children from the Raheen, Dooradoyle and Ballinacurra, but its number rapidly increased over the past 20 years.
There has been an average of 35 children in the choir every year, between the ages of 9 and 16, coming from all over Limerick city and county.
They have participated in Christmas concerts, charity events, performed in World premieres and travelled to choral competitions locally and around Ireland.
According to the choir’s founder and conductor, Máire Keary-Scanlon, the parents of the Cantette singers have been the backbone to their success.
“They have brought children to and from rehearsals every Saturday afternoon, often coming straight from football or rowing or basketball!”
Cantette has also travelled twice to the Young Prague Choral festival, to Vienna for the Advent Choral festival, and performed in Paris on Saint Patrick’s Day as well as at EuroDisney!
“The support and loyalty of the parents has made all these trips possible,” Ms Keary-Scanlon said.
Two-time winners of the Youth Choir category of the Lyric FM’s s Choirs for Christmas as well as winners in competitions in Limerick, Cork and Sligo, Cantette has recorded their own CD and also recorded with the Irish Concert Orchestra under conductor David Brophy.
The concert in St Mary’s Cathedral is not only to celebrate the choir’s 20th anniversary but to give a stage – and audience – to the many past members who have gone on to study music as a career.
“Many of our past members are now successfully making their way in the world in the music industry, whether as teachers or performers, composers and arrangers, and events managers,” Ms Keary-Scanlon said.
by Mary Dundon
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