18.09.2015
Role of Culture in Integration Highlighted at Discovery Gospel Choir Album Launch
The important role that cultural activities can play in integration was highlighted by Discovery Gospel Choir at the launch of its new album, ‘Look Up’. The choir, regarded as Ireland’s most multicultural choir since it was founded in 2004, launched the album at the Sean O’Casey Theatre in East Wall.
Speaking at the launch, Aisling McCormick, Musical Director with Discovery Gospel Choir, said: “When we were established, our founders very deliberately reached out to migrant communities, and our membership remains extremely diverse to this day. Many of those who joined the Choir down through the years were newly arrived in Ireland and found they made strong social connections through the Choir and were better able to integrate into life here. This type of inclusive cultural activity is extremely important in integration. It allows people from different backgrounds to meet and get to know each other in a social setting, and to explore common areas of interest”.
The diversity of the choir’s membership is reflected on ‘Look Up’. It features songs from as far afield as Haiti, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and the Polynesian Islands, with tracks performed in 11 different languages, including Swahili, Ro manian and Haitian Kreyól, as well as English and Irish. “For this album, our members were encouraged to suggest songs from their native countries, with the result that we have created a truly unique and international collection of gospel music,” Aisling added.
‘Look Up’ is Discovery Gospel Choir’s first studio album, and was recorded after a successful FundIt campaign last year. The album was produced by Shea Fitzgerald, best known for his work on the soundtrack of the Academy Award–nominated animation, ‘Song of the Sea’, as well as with artists such as Paul Brady and Kíla.
Kíla frontman Rónán Ó Snodaigh makes a special guest appearance on the Discovery Gospel Choir album, contributing an original Irish–language track, ‘Ciúin’, accompanied by a poem written by Cormac Ó Snodaigh. He also performed with the Choir at the launch event in East Wall.
Other highlights of the album include:
- ‘Alleluia Maranatha’, a uniquely African–infused Romanian song, performed by Congo Brazzaville singer, Prosper Mbemba; and
- The Ladysmith Black Mambazo–inspired ‘Heal My Sorrow’ – an original composition by Discovery founder, Philip McKinley.
At the launch, Discovery Gospel Choir announced details of tour dates in Dublin, Belfast and Cork over the coming months. Further information is available on www.discoverygospelchoir.com.