The Maynooth Chamber Choir last night celebrated its silver anniversary with a gala concert attended by President McAleese as Guest of Honour. The Chamber Choir, consisting of twenty two students from NUI Maynooth and St Patrick’s College Maynooth was conducted by Aengus Ó Maoláin, a graduate of music at the University, and President of the Maynooth Student’s Union.

Speaking after the performance, President McAleese congratulated the Choir on their twenty five years and, quoting Yeats, noted that that the choir’s dedication and passion for music epitomised “education not filling the pail, but lighting a fire.”

Professor Fiona M. Palmer, Head of Department, emphasized the imaginative and dedicated work of the ensemble with its well-established ethos of professionalism and excellence.  Dr John O'Keeffe, inaugural conductor of the Choir and current Director of Choral Groups at NUI Maynooth, noted that “membership of the choir offers students the chance of choral experience at a very high level and to date over 250 graduates of the choir have gone on take their place in many of Ireland’s premier choral groups, including Anúna and the National Chamber Choir.”