Diocesan News
Priory Singers II Carols by Candlelight Concert, St Thomas'
Carols by Candlelight Concert, St Thoma's, Lisburn Rd, Belfast
Belfast-based chamber choir Priory II will give its inaugural concert on Friday 12 December under new conductor Nigel McClintock. The concert will be held at 7:30pm in the recently impressively refurbished St Thomas’ Parish Church, Lisburn Road/Eglantine Avenue, Belfast (Connor Diocese).
Founded as the Priory Singers in 1986, the choir quickly established itself as one of the country’s leading chamber choirs - a reputation which continued to flourish over the next 22 years under director Dr Harry Grindle.
During this time, it regularly broadcast on radio and television and made numerous appearances throughout Ireland. It also undertook summer residences at some of the English cathedrals, including Hereford (1993 & 2001), Exeter (1995), Lincoln (2003), Gloucester (2005), Bath Abbey (2006) and Chichester (2007).
After over 20 dedicated years of directing and inspiring the Priory Singers and its members, Dr Harry Grindle retired in June 2008. Choir member Valerie Ireland said: 'We are indebted to Harry Grindle for all his work over the past 22 years and are looking forward very much to continuing this as Priory II under our new director Nigel McClintock.'
Belfast-born Nigel McClintock was educated at Methodist College Belfast and the Royal College of Music in London. He was a boy chorister at St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, and later went on to become the Director of Music at St George’s Parish Church. He was appointed Director of Music in Croydon Parish Church in 2000, where he served for 7 years.
Nigel returned to Belfast earlier this year to take up the post of Director of Music at St Peter’s Cathedral, where the present administrator, the Very Revd Dr Hugh Kennedy has been instrumental in developing its musical potential.
Nigel said: 'There has been an amazing interest and enthusiasm within those involved in the music at St Peter’s. This promises a very exciting future for the music in Catholic Church in Northern Ireland.' Commenting on being appointed as the new director of Priory II, he continued: 'I have known and admired Harry Grindle for over 30 years and have been delighted to act as accompanist for the Priory Singers on many occasions. I look forward to further developing the wonderful reputation that this choir has established.'
The Rector of St. Thomas’s, Canon Walter Lewis, said: 'This choir’s reputation goes before it and we are delighted to be hosting the choir here in our stunning, newly-refurbished church. I would like to take this opportunity to extend a warm invitation for all to attend on Friday 12th.'
This is a ticketed concert. For tickets, call 02890 484913.
ENDS