Marine Institute Singers on a high note after Workplace Choir of the Year Win

 Marine Institute Singers pictured with their conductor, Carmel Dooley. Photographer Andrew DownesCongratulations to our Marine Institute Singers who won the Workplace Choir of the Year, in the National Concert Hall, Dublin, on Sunday night. Runner up was 'Ultrasounds', Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork. The other finalists were –

• 'Scrubs' Cork University Hospital
• 'Beaumont Hospital Staff Choir', Beaumont Hospital, Dublin
• 'Bon Secours Hospital Workplace Choir', Bon Secours Health System Ltd, Cork
• 'A & L Goodbody Solicitors Choir' A & L Goodbody Solicitors, Dublin
• 'Tallaght Hospital Staff Choir', Tallaght Hospital, Dublin
• 'SSE Airs', SSE Airtricity Ltd, Dublin

The Competition, an initiative of HM1 Arts in association RTÉ lyric fm, Workplace Choir of the Year works with employers and organisations throughout Ireland to establish competition-standard choirs within the workplace and to motivate employees to work together in an enjoyable and engaging way.

The Marine Institute Singers were commended for their clarity of diction and tone quality throughout their performances of Kiitkem Sudamest Mariat and Goodnight My Angel receiving a standing ovation from the filled to capacity National Concert Hall.

The Marine Institute Singers burst onto the Galway choral scene in 2013 by winning the inaugural 'ChoirFactor' workplace choir competition in the Radisson Hotel. Directed by Carmel Dooley, the choir was formed specifically for the event and buoyed by this success continued to sing together and develop their sound and repertoire.

The choir won the new competitor category at the Mayo International Choral Festival in 2014 and have participated in numerous local choral events including singing with Cois Claddaigh and are establishing a reputation as one of the freshest, exciting sounding choirs to have emerged from Galway in recent years.

Since winning Choir Factor 2013 the Marine Institute Singers have since participated in numerous events. Their inaugural concert in June of this year was a sell-out success and most recently they shared a concert platform with the Boeing Employees Choir from Washington USA, in St. Nicholas Church, Galway.

The judging panel included Dr. Ryan Molloy, Music Lecturer at Maynooth University, Gail Henry, radio producer at RTÉ Lyric FM and Lesley Bishop, choral and chamber music manager of the RTÉ Philharmonic Choir, and RTE Cór na nÓg.

"The Marine Institute Singers are thrilled with their success in winning the National Workplace Choir Competition. Their hard work and dedication throughout the year as a choir has really paid off," says Carmel Dooley.

Dr. Peter Heffernan, CEO of the Marine Institute added, "Congratulations to each of the Marine Institute Singers, who have made us all very proud by winning the Workplace Choir of the Year final against very strong competition. Sincere thanks also to Carmel Dooley, choir director, for her inspiration and steering the choir to success"

ENDS

For further information please contact:

https://www.facebook.com/TheMarineInstituteSingers

https://twitter.com/mi_singers