Sanctuary Singers tune up for charity concert at St Patrick’s

The Lisburn concert will raise money for the Cancer Fund For Children after Rachael, the niece of one of the singers, was diagnosed with a brain tumour two years ago.

Since diagnosis, Rachael and her family have received consistent emotional and practical support from the Cancer Fund.

Rachael herself is a young mother to a little girl of three years of age. During radiotherapy and at other particularly difficult times, Rachael herself has spoken about how invaluable the support of the Cancer Fund for Children has been.

Rachael has also been supported by Stewart Dixon MLA. Mr Dixon invited Rachael and her mum to the Assembly chamber to be present when he spoke in the Assembly recently about the need for increased funding for brain cancer.

He will be attending the Lisburn concert and supporting the fundraising efforts.

The Sanctuary Singers is a choir based in Northern Ireland, drawn together to celebrate and perform sacred choral music both classical and contemporary. It was formed in 2024 by Loreto McAuley, a local freelance conductor and pianist.

The choir includes semi-professional and other experienced singers, alongside many singers who do not read music and are new to four part singing.

The concert will include a programme of Irish and Scottish sacred music.

The Sanctuary Singers will be joined on the night by some very special guests, including Lisburn pianist Frasier Hickland.

He is a graduate of the Royal College of Music, London, and has performed in many prestigious venues in Europe and America.

He has also been featured on BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio Ulster, RTE Lyric FM and has performed for dignitaries such as King Charles III and Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Also performing will be a mother and son team of Bronagh and Seamus McClean. Bronagh and the McClean family are well known in the trad/folk world throughout Europe and America. 14 year old Seamus holds 4 All Ireland Gold Medals on uilleann pipes and whistle, three of which he won in the one day.

The concert will begin at 7.30pm and there is a suggested donation of £15/£10.

Tickets are available on the choir’s website at www.sanctuarysingers.org.