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Music to Your Ears – The Down About Down Podcast with Mourne Community Choir

Community singing has always been an enjoyable experience in the Newcastle area. Chris relates the story of “Singing Sally” from the area, who appeared in a Newry Courthouse in April 1866 for disturbing worshippers at a local chapel with her singing!!

In this podcast, 158 years later, Chris makes his way to Newcastle, County Down and visits Mourne Community Choir whilst they are in a practice session at Newcastle Community Cinema.

Chris has a chat with Frances, Mary, Marie, Justine, Nick and Síle, all members of the choir.

The Mourne Community Choir were formed a number of years ago and have gone from strength to strength with a membership of around 50 members presently. The membership includes both young and old from across the Mourne District, stretching from Killyleagh to Kilkeel.

People from all backgrounds getting together with one common bond – they all love to sing!

The choir, under the guidance of Careen Starkey, are currently practising for their latest gig on 11th May, 2024 organised by the Lions Club.

The choir are also raising money presently through a raffle which assist in expense payments and they will be also giving a donation to The Well in Kilkeel, a community wellness hub that provides a range of services to support mental health.

Long term choir member Frances states, “This is quite aligned to our own choir, in that it is all about our mental health. People in this choir maybe have nobody living near them. They could be isolated and they come here on a Monday and let the hair down and really enjoy each other’s company.”

For anyone who is thinking about joining and isn’t sure, Marie, who joined the choir a year ago, gives a few words of encouragement. “Come and join. You go home feeling completely different. You feel more relaxed and in better form. It is just enjoyable.”

You don’t even have to read music to join! “If you can sing and hold a tune” you are more than welcome to go along to a practice session and give it a go.

The choir meet each Monday evening, between 7 – 9pm at the Newcastle Community Cinema, located at St. Mary’s Hall, Main Street, Newcastle, County Down.

You can hear the choir in action at the Newcastle Community Cinema at 3pm on Saturday 11th May.

Chris can be contacted via email – [email protected]