Charlestown Youth Performs in Concert Choir in Ireland

Matthew Perkins of Charlestown, a 2014 graduate of Boston College High School and a member of the Boston College High School Concert/Chamber Choir, led by Choir Director Dr. Marina Rozenberg, returned recently from a concert tour in Ireland.

While in Ireland the boys visited Trinity College and the famous Book of Kells Exhibition; the exhibit of medieval and Viking Dublin; the Powerscourt House and Gardens; and Croke Park Stadium. As one student described the trip “we sang everywhere from airport terminals, to museums, street corners and hotel lobbies. There was a lot of singing! ” Among others, they sang Caccini's Ave Maria, Pie Jesu, Danny Boy, Hallelujah, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, and the Irish National Anthem (A Soldier's Song).

The singing adventure started at Logan airport to the delight of other travelers in Terminal E. One of the students described singing at Logan Airport as “the most memorable performance during the trip. When we started singing the National Anthem in the middle of the airport terminal, seeing everyone watching us, then rising up, putting their hands over their hearts to pay respect to the country, and all the good it stands for. Seeing this made me think of what we were representing when we traveled to Ireland.”

While in Dublin, the Choir gave concerts in St.Canice’s Cathedral, city of Kilkenny, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, Easter Liturgy service in St. Kevin’s Parish Church at Glendalough. The group finished their trip with a friendship concert at Sandford Park School, Dublin.

The overall experience travelling as a group united in song is what these students remember most. On returning home the students were asked to reflect on the trip. A sophomore stated that “this choir has been part of my life for two of the best years of my life, and when I’m older, I want it to be these friendships that I remember the most.”

The youngest student, a seventh grader, had this to say “ It was an unforgettable experience. We sang everywhere we went, and every time we sang I felt good inside.” One senior wrote, “Singing at St. Patrick’s Cathedral was most special. I just could not stop thinking about how it was the place where Handel’s Messiah was first performed—that our voices were echoing off the same walls—and I thought of how good we sounded that day singing. ”

This year, the 30 choir members were comprised of 28 students, BC High faculty member Mr. Gene Holmes, BC High parent Mr. David Vargo and the choir’s pianist Mrs. Derelyn Kahler of Hanover, MA. Also travelling with the choir were Mr. Michael Brennan, BC High Vice Principal, Student Affairs and seven other enthusiastic “choir parents”.

Photo: Front Row L-R Jeremy Mendoza, Quentin McCarron, Brian Flynn, Michael Burke, Tom Leonard, Michael Middleton, Derek Dunlea, John Dres, Sean Connor, Alan Swierczynski, Jake Lemanski

Back Row L-R Shaun Griswold, Nicholas Bartlett, Joe O’Brien, Sean O’Sullivan, Sean Bradley, Sean Sullivan, Peter Vargo, Anthony Ioffredo, Andrew Issner, Charles Hajjar, Mr. Gene Holmes, Ramiz Haddad, Matthew Perkins

Boston College High School is a Jesuit, Catholic, college-preparatory school for young men in grades 7 to 12. Founded in 1863, the school enrolls approximately 1,600 students from more than 140 communities in eastern Massachusetts. For more

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