‘Brigid Sings’ lifts the roof in Kildare Cathedral
25th June 2024: A choir of over 120 children representing primary schools from across county Kildare took to the stage in Kildare Cathedral on Saturday 8th June for the inaugural Brigid Sings gala performance. A collaboration between Kildare County Council, Music Generation Kildare and Sing Ireland, the concert was the culmination of a months-long programme of one-off workshops and weekly singing sessions, with schools from across all of Kildare’s five Municipal Districts. The Brigid Sings project, specifically designed for Kildare, celebrates the life and story of Brigid through music and song, bringing her accomplishments and work to life.
Performing the world premieres of 5 new songs, the children were joined onstage by the singer-songwriters commissioned to pen them: Sive, SAL, Megan O’Neill, Lea Heart and Inni-K. Each song was accompanied by illustrations from Kildare illustrator, Laura Dempsey.
These female singer-songwriters, all hailing from Kildare, were also on hand in recent weeks, travelling to schools, to rehearse with the children in advance of the concert. The singers were accompanied by a band of professional musicians led by renowned Musical Director David Hayes, and a choir featuring members of the Irish Youth Choir.
Over 3,800 children from 32 primary schools engaged in the Brigid Sings workshops across April and May, learning and rehearsing songs with professional musician educators from Music Generation Kildare and Sing Ireland.
Speaking at the event, Eláine Donnelly, acting Arts Officer, Kildare County Council reaffirmed Kildare County Council’s ongoing support of Music Generation Kildare since 2020 and of the Brigid Sings project, saying it was “very much underpinned by the belief in the benefits of sustained access to and participation in music. We’re supporting and resourcing equal access for all children, no matter their background, and in turn access of the wider family network to music”.
Alan Costello, Development Officer with Music Generation Kildare said “Brigid Sings showcases everything that Music Generation Kildare continually aspires towards – affording our young musicians the opportunity to experience music making and musical performance of the highest quality. Through music performance we are opening doors, creating communities and friendships and allowing the children and young people of county Kildare to dream big and create bigger.”
Dermot O’Callaghan, CEO of Sing Ireland commented “Sing Ireland was delighted to partner with Kildare County Council Arts Office and Music Generation Kildare on this innovative group singing project. Brigid Sings put primary school children and young people across Kildare at its centre. The initiative not only celebrated the inspiring life of Brigid through the voices of our young people but also enriched their cultural and music experience. By collaborating with talented local singer-songwriters and artists the project embodied community and creativity, and we are proud to support the next generation of singers.”
As part of the project the songs have been made available to every primary school and home in the county via a digital resource pack including audio recordings of the songs, sheet music, lyrics, videos, backing tracks, colouring pages and musicianship learning activities. The resources are available to all at https://www.singireland.ie/brigid-sings
The Brigid Sings project was supported by Kildare County Council and Kildare Wicklow Education Training Board (KWETB), with additional support for the gala performance by Creative Ireland.
