Fundraising

Christmas Concerts

It may only be October, but since the annual choir Christmas concert is by far the most popular event at Saint Bartholomew’s, it’s time to save the dates—and yes, that’s plural! Last year, we sold out faster than we ever have before, so we have decided to hold two showings this year:

Sunday, 8 December @ 6.00pm
Sunday, 15 December @ 6.00pm

Tickets will be available from Friday, 1 November… well, for the general sale, that is. If you’re a Friend of the Choir, you can secure your tickets much earlier than that. In fact, this year our Choir Friends are receiving two free tickets for each showing. The cost of four tickets is already worth a good chunk of the annual membership (and the peace of mind in knowing you’re guaranteed a place at an event that will almost certainly sell out surely counts for something, too!), so why not go all in and become a Friend?

Click here to join.

Sir John Stainer’s “The Crucifixion” Event

Many thanks to everyone who participated in the performance of Sir John Stainer’s The Crucifixion at Saint Bartholomew’s on Saturday, 23 March.


Over 70 singers from far and wide took part in the event, from Lisburn to Westmeath; from Carlow to Cork, as well as many from Dublin, with a total of 27 choirs represented.

Musical direction was ably provided by Ben Barnes and supported by David O’Shea on the organ.

 

 


Our soloists were Robin Heather and Max O’Neill with three singers from Bart’s: Tim Pearson, Andrew Forrest, and Niamh Goucher.

We performed to a large and appreciative audience at 5.00pm.  We were well looked after by Julie Heather, Iris Scott, and Simone Orr in the interval with tea/coffee and hot cross buns. The day was a great success with many positive comments from the singers, and many wanting to do another event soon. Donations toward the much-needed organ restoration in Saint Bartholomew’s were gratefully received, totalling over €1300.

Sir John Stainer’s “The Crucifixion”: Saturday, 23 March

Following discussions with Church Music Dublin and in order to correct a recent post in the February Church Review, please note that Church Music Dublin has kindly agreed to promote this event on our behalf, but this event is not an official reunion of the very successful CMD online production of 2021.  We are, however, encouraging those who participated to join us on the day!

The choir of Saint Bartholomew’s Church and the Sandford & St. Philip’s Choral Union invite singers from across the United Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough to take part in a rehearsal and performance of The Crucifixion by Sir John Stainer.

Musical Director: Ben Barnes
Organ: David O’Shea
Tenor: Max O’Neill
Bass: Robin Heather

Schedule:

2.30pm: Registration
3.00pm: Rehearsal
4.30pm: Break with tea/coffee provided
5.00pm: Performance
Please bring your own scores. (Some may be available on the day.)
The performance at 5.00pm is open to all, and hymn sheets will be provided.

About The Crucifixion:

A very appropriate work to be sung on the day before Palm Sunday as we enter Holy Week, The Crucifixion: A Meditation on the Sacred Passion of the Holy Redeemer is an oratorio by Sir John Stainer written in 1887 for SATB choir and organ with solos for bass and tenor.  The format follows that of the Bach Passions and tells the story of the passion and crucifixion of Jesus.  The text was written by W.J. Sparrow Simpson based on the King James Bible.  Stainer dedicated the work to “my pupil and friend W. Hodge and the choir of Marylebone Church,” who first performed it on Ash Wednesday in 1887.  It has been sung in Marylebone Church every year since then. There are five hymns sung by the choir and audience throughout the work, culminating in the final and most well known, For the love of Jesus, also known as All for Jesus, All for Jesus.

Please come and join us for what promises to be a very enjoyable afternoon and help us raise some much needed funds for the continuing restoration of the Saint Bartholomew’s organ.

Table Quiz: Friday, 26 January

Our first out-of-church event for 2024 will be a table quiz at the United Arts Club on Friday, 26 January at 7.00pm.  If obscure factoids are your specialty, then come on out and put that knowledge to good use—and enjoy a drink alongside it!  All proceeds go toward our organ restoration fund.