Only 9 more sleeps

Only 9 more sleeps and then it's Christmas! Well it won't actually be Christmas day but for me personally, it's the start of Christmas. The minute I step onto the plane in Dublin, it will be the start of Christmas Holidays. The holiday SPIRIT has infected me since the 1st performance of the Bray Gospel Choir  (November 27th) and has continued to manifest itself as decorations, candles, and the continual playing of Michael Buble's Christmas album. As I headed into Dublin City Centre on Saturday afternoon, to join some merry singers for an afternoon of carolling, I took a few minutes to observe my surroundings. The LUAS was jam packed with people travelling into town for shopping or sipping or singing. When we arrived at Stephen's Green, the atmosphere was electric! Everywhere I looked, people were smiling, laughing, chatting happily to one another. The tacky Christmas jumper brigade were out in full force-  groups of friends gathering for their first drink of the evening, some loud and proud about their outlandish costumes, some a little more embarrassed about their woolly ware. 

If someone asked you to bottle the spirit of Christmas, what would you say? Here's my list of ingredients: 

•  1 tbls cinnamon
•  1/2 tsp all-spice
• a sprinkle of vanilla essence (preferably baked into cookies and pies!)
•  1 cup smell of a wood burning fire
•  2 cups spiced rum
• a dash of that warm feeling you feel when Bing Crosby starts singing

So if it's today, or in 9 days, or in 15 days, pour yourself a glass of Christmas Cheer!

My other 'job'

As the Festive Season comes racing in again, I wanted to share a little bit about Bray Gospel Choir. This is always a hectic time of year for any choir, but a busy choir is a happy choir. 

When we are performing three times in one week, I like to think we are learning and growing together and getting better each time. 

There are quiet times in the year when we will have only one performance in a month. 

But not in December.... oh no.....December is Manic!  It's the time of year when Christmas-meets-Gospel-meets-Motown-meets-Soul. When I get to sing with a wonderfully talented group of my friends and perform Christmas Carols with a Gospel flair.  Sometimes, I'm lucky enough to stand in front of them and listen to the incredible beauty of their voices while also attempting to keep the tempo. 

Here's the first entry (of many more to come) where I introduce, my happy day, my amazing grace, my rock, my Bray Gospel Choir: 

In January 2009, while sitting around the kitchen table of a very close friend, the idea for the Bray Gospel Choir came about over several pots of tea. There were four of us, all looking for a musical outlet - having individually participated in singing groups in the past - and wanting to sing with our friends. Just once a week, hang out and sing with like-minded people. 

Nearly 5 years later, and Bray Gospel Choir is a performance choir with an extensive repertoire of music, 43 current members, 8 session musicians, as well as 8 babies (and counting)!!!

In 2010,  We worked with Mary Coughlan on a Charity gig for Umoza, joining her on ‘The Magdalene Laundries’. That summer brought the fantastic Bray Summerfest and the opportunity to perform in front of hundreds of fans on Bray Seafront. In October, the choir joined Eurovision legends Niamh Kavanagh and Johnny Logan for a charity event on radio and later, Christmas carolling on Grafton street. 

 Here are a few pics of our Wedding Choir - available for wedding ceremonies, receptions, even outdoor-mountain-top nuptial blessings....we've done it all! 

Recognise this from RTE Big Music Week???????

This is the first of many entries I will dedicate to my special singing group. Every thursday night, 11 months of the year, you will find us rehearsing in The Martello in Bray, preparing for our next big performance. Undoubtedly, you will hear us before you see us! 

The people I have met through the choir continue to inspire me; they are talented, they are my friends, and most importantly they are positive people. Rehearsal nights are my escape from the frantic world outside, where I can step in beside my friends and sing loud and proud, all to my hearts content.

Our website is www.braygospelchoir.ie where you can read more about our musical accelades and upcoming Gospel Gigs.