Choristers invited to first Gospel Choir Festival

Award-winning singer-songwriter Don Mescall and his long term co-writing collaborator Chris Pelcer composed the official anthem for Ireland and Europe’s first International Gospel Choir Festival and will return home to Kilkenny and perform at the festival with the choirs over the weekend.

Festival founder and Kilkenny Gospel Choir director, Fr Willie Purcell, is calling for all local gospel choirs to sign up for the event and sing with hundreds of others during the weekend of music and song.

The festival’s much-anticipated grand finale at the iconic Kilkenny Castle will see over 1,000 voices come together to perform the anthem titled Faith and Friendship.

Don Mescall says: “When I was asked to write a song that would bring together choirs from all over the world I was delighted to accept. Gospel music is by definition written to express personal, spiritual or communal belief regarding Christian life.

“Faith and Friendship” was a joy to write because I believe it encapsulates these elements, and it’s also fun to sing. I wanted to make sure that we brought somewhat of a contemporary feel to it as well -- so it could be accessible to all genres, all ages. For me music feeds the soul, lifts the spirit and makes you feel better about the world. I am really looking forward to hearing all of these amazing choirs from around the world sing this song together. I think it will be a momentous occasion and I’m really excited to be part of that.”

The choirs will partake in three days of musical and cultural activities with a variety of concerts and performances planned for various venues across the city and county.

Other special guests attending the event include ’FRO’, one of America’s top Gospel rappers who is expected to cause quite a stir during his visit to Ireland when he takes in local schools and hosts workshops with young people on rap and Gospel music.

Meanwhile, Grayson Warren Brown, an internationally known liturgical composer, author, recording artist and speaker, has been confirmed as one of the key workshop leaders for the festival

See www.kilkennygospelchoirfestival.com