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Luas sponsors the 'Quest', the National Chamber Choir's children's opera project
At a colourful and musical ceremony, in view of the construction site of the new Luas bridge at the former railway station, Dundrum, Seamus Brennan td launched the official joint sponsorship deal by Luas and the National Chamber Choir of the Dublin gala performance of the children's opera project, The Quest.
The launch was attended by children from Queen of Angels Primary School, Wedgewood, Dundrum who, led by the teacher Laura Thornton, and dressed in their Quest costumes, performed for the Minister.
Other schools involved in the project are:
1. Scoil Mochua, Deansrath, Clondalkin
2. Scoil Aine, Raheny
3. St Thomas Special School for Teenage Travellers, Coolock
4. St Brigid's Senior Girls School, Finglas West
5. Gardiner St Primary School
6. Straffan Primary School, Kildare
The Quest is an opera specially commissioned by the National Chamber Choir, Ireland's only full-time professional choir, which is based at Dublin City University. It is a unique initiative, designed to introduce nine to twelve year old pupils to music and drama. This year it will involve three disadvantaged schools, two special needs schools and two mainstream schools. The opera was written by Maeve Ingoldsby and Colin Mawby, former conductor of the National Chamber Choir which is based at Dublin City University. The story is set in mythological Ireland at the time of the high kings, and tells the story of Caoilte who lacks self confidence and sets off on a quest to discover it. All the solo roles are sung and acted by the pupils and there are two opportunities within the opera for the pupils to create their own music and text.
On 18 June 2002 all seven schools will join together for a gala performance in the Ballymun Arts Centre. "We are particularly pleased with Luas's involvement in the project", said Karina Lundstrom, chief executive of the NCC. "It is wonderful to receive sponsorship from an agency that is making such an impact on the lives of the citizens of Dublin. We hope that through music, we too are making an impact on the lives of young people that we are working with".
Seamus Brennan said that he was particularly pleased to see Luas getting involved with local communities, and that it was wonderful to see such enthusiasm and commitment among the young pupils and the teachers involved in the project.