The Open Arts Community Choir took part in the Bangor International Choral Festival last Saturday, 24 April 2010, with choirs competing from Wales, Scotland, Bath, Northern Ireland and the Philippines.

The stars of the evening were the amazing Philippino choir from the University of Santo Tomas; all talented university music students who are doing a 4-month tour of Europe. They came first in almost every category in the Bangor festival with their incredible sound and technically demanding songs. Nevertheless, they were relegated to 2nd place on Saturday night when the Open Arts Community Choir won the Light Entertainment category with “And So It Goes” by Billy Joel, “Stairway to Paradise” by George Gershwin, and a beautiful arrangement of “Danny Boy”! The adjudicators awarded the Open Arts Community Choir the top mark of 90+ (Outstanding), with the comment, “I admire your ability to sing with the lightest of vocal tone and yet maintain dynamic and musical control. This was a stunning performance.”

Well done again Open Arts!!

But it was the Open Arts Community Choir that walked away with first prize

The Open Arts Choir will be performing at the Out To Lunch Arts Festival this coming January.

Venue: The Black Box, Cathedral Quarter, Belfast
Time: Wednesday 27 January 1.00 pm
Tickets: £5.00 + hot lunch (supplied by La Boca Restaurant and The John Hewitt)

Lunch will be served on entry. Please ensure to arrive no later than 1.00 pm. The Black Box is fully wheelchair accessible. Guide dogs are welcome.

Tickets can be purchased online at The Out To Lunch website (no booking fee) or at the Belfast Welcome Centre, Donegall Place, Belfast, 028 902466609 (booking fee applies). Other enquiries: CQAF, 028 90232403.

The Open Arts Community Choir (OACC) is a choir for anyone aged 16 or over, regardless of disability, race, gender or past musical experience. It has been running for 9 years now, with 33 members, and an eclectic repertoire; from Gospel to Pop, and World to Cabaret.

They have performed at numerous venues in the UK & Ireland, including the Belfast Waterfront Hall, Odyssey Arena, Liverpool’s DaDa Festival, and the International Eisteddfod in Wales. They made a huge impression on BBC1 last summer when they fought their way into the final 14 UK choirs in the hit TV show Last Choir Standing!

Open Arts Community Choir wins at Festival!

The OACC came first in the prestigious Bangor International Choral Festival on 2nd May 2009. Up against stiff competition from 3 choirs of International repute, they sang 3 pieces – ‘Psallite’ by Praetorius, ‘Java Jive’ by Ben Oakland, and ‘The Bluebird’ by Stanford which, with its haunting soprano solo (by Andrea Hope) brought half the audience to tears, followed by a standing ovation! The award included the top prize of £1000 and a beautifully engraved crystal vase. The OACC have just recorded a cd which will be available to purchase in November 2009 – just in time for Christmas!

Open Arts festival Choir took part in the Ballymena Music festival on Saturday 1st march. They were the only choir to sing in the Mixed Vocie Choir section, but sang their two songs beautifully, received a very complimentary report from the adjudicator, Elizabeth Bicker, and a wonderful cup. They also came joint first in the Best Choir category, taking home a superb silver trophy to keep for six months and half the bursary of £500 donated by Ballymena Borough Council. It was a great night for everyone as we all were able to  see the brand new Braid Arts Centre, which has been built around the refurbished Town Hall.  Well  done to the Festival Choir!