Schola Cantorum Gonzaga College
The Schola Cantorum of Gonzaga College is selected from the 6th year students in
the school. The potential members are auditioned in the final two weeks of the previous
academic year, & start rehearsals in the first week back in the new academic year.
There are rehearsals three times a week: sectionals take place during lunchtimes
twice a week, and a full rehearsal takes place on Friday afternoons after school.
Extra rehearsals are added before and after school on an ad hoc basis when needed.
The “schola” has been so busy this year that this has become the norm rather than
the exception, with the boys rehearsing before school nearly everyday of the week.
They have already been recorded for, and entered into, two competitions. They have
performed in two concerts, and are currently getting ready for the school’s Christmas
carol services and Christmas Eve Vigil.
Schola Cantorum was originally set up so the school would have a small choral ensemble
out of which the cantors for the various school services throughout the academic
year would be chosen. During these services the group would also sing one or two
a cappella chamber pieces, as well as singing in the larger school choir. In 2007,
Ms. Aoife Dunne was appointed Director of Schola Cantorum. Ms Dunne comes from a
strong choral background herself, having been a full time member of the National
Chamber Choir of Ireland for 5 years. Since Ms. Dunne’s appointment the function
and size of Schola Cantorum has grown.
The members of “Schola” continue to perform at the various mass services in the college,
but now as well as sacred music, they also perform secular pieces; performing at
school functions & events, to raise funds for the various school-sponsored charities,
in various events within the local community, in competitions and concerts.
Schola Cantorum is a very rewarding and worthwhile activity for all involved, and
continues to go from strength to strength because of the dedication and talent of
the boys.
SCHOLA CANTORUM 2013 werechosen as finalists for the RTE Lyric FM “Choirs for Christmas”
competition. They performed on “Niall Carroll’s Classical Daytime” radio show on
Wed 19 December 2012. To hear a recording of the Schola click here
Calendar
Gallery
