Press Release/Diary Notice Immediate

Emmanuel – Glee Club meets X Factor meets Church music

1500 secondary students from all over Dublin will sings their souls out next week in the Helix for the “Emmanuel Live” Concerts, and today (21st March 12.30pm  Grafton St) some of those involved will take to the streets of Dublin with a free live sample of what’s involved.

The concerts – run by the Archdiocese of Dublin – are unique in Ireland with thousands of children between the ages of 12 and 17 all singing Church music, live in front of a full orchestra.

Before getting on stage, the students will participate in workshops in Clonliffe College rehearsing hymns and playing music.

There is also a competition for the positions of soloists on the night with 300 boys and girls competing against each other for a coveted solo position on the Helix stage. The response to this year’s event has been such that the stage has had to be extended in the Helix to accommodate the number of students taking part.

Fr. Pat O’Donoghue of the Emmanuel Team paid particular tribute to the music and religion teachers around the Diocese who gave their time, energy and enthusiasm to make these concerts happen.  He said in a church where there was much discussion about the lack of participation by young people, the enthusiasm among students for the Emmanuel Project was really heartening.

Fr. O’ Donoghue said that, contrary to what would be expected, the Church had no difficulty getting the attention of I tunes generation with its programme of liturgical music; “Some might find it hard to believe that teenagers would be interested in Emmanuel or any event focussing entirely on Liturgical Music, but the workshops and concerts and crucially, the music is clearly appealing to something in the souls of our young people which we hope they will carry with them for life.”

• One of the school choirs taking part in Emmanuel Live will sing on Dublin’s Grafton Street this Monday lunchtime, March 21st at 12.30pm. Media welcome. (junction with South King Street)
• The Emmanuel Concerts take place in the Helix theatre in Dublin on March 23rd and 24th next. Tickets are available from www.helix.ie