World Famous London Community Gospel Choir arrive for Waterford International Music Festival

Nov 2010

The world famous London Community Gospel Choir arrived at Waterford Airport on the Aer Arann London Luton flight this morning (Friday, November 5) for their highly anticipated performance at the ‘Gospel Festival’ which forms part of the Waterford International Music Festival 2010.

The London Community Gospel Choir will perform on Saturday, November 6 at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity in Waterford City to an audience of over 500 people.

Festival goers are in for a treat as the London Community Gospel Choir has long traditions of performing with high profile stars such as Madonna, The Waterboys and many other famous names. In 1982, a dream and a vision came alive. Rev. Bazil Meade, with the help of Lawrence Johnson, Delroy Powell and John Francis, made a mark in history pioneering the first concert gospel choir in Britain – The London Community Gospel Choir. Choir Director, Travis Cole says the choir are delighted to come to Ireland to perform at this the fiftieth Waterford International Festival of Light Opera, “We are thrilled to have the honour of top of the bill for the Gospel Festival, we have performed in Ireland previously and we love how our audiences here interact with the music and really get into enjoying the music during the performance.”

According to the Festival Chairperson, Anne Marie Caulfield, “The London Community Gospel Choir are known for their funky gospel flair, swing beat, R'n'B, traditional and soulful arrangements, with invigorating choreography and vocal gymnastics. They are outstanding to watch! We are very excited to have them here in Waterford particularly as this festival is an expansion and celebration of fifty years of Light Opera in Waterford City.”

The Waterford International Festival of Music features the London Community Gospel Choir as part of a two day Gospel Festival which see a total of five Gospel Choirs including The Dublin Gospel Choir, Tramore Gospel Singers, Cathedral Youth Choir and The David Hennessy Junior Gospel Choir take to the stage – tickets for ‘The Gospel Festival’ range from €16 to €23 and are available from The Theatre Royal or online at www.waterfordintlmusicfestival.com

Commenting on the arrival at Waterford Airport, Graham Doyle, CEO of Waterford Airport and the official Travel Partner of the Waterford International Festival of Music said “We’re delighted to welcome the London Community Gospel Choir to Waterford Airport this morning. It’s great to be involved with the Festival of Music – it’s a major draw for tourism and we’re keen to enable music lovers from far and wide to come to enjoy the variety of music and the beauty of the South East.”

Kathleen Fitzgerald of George’s Court Shopping Centre, Waterford and sponsor of ‘The Gospel Festival’ was also on hand to greet the London Community Gospel Choir, commenting “The Waterford International Festival of Music is a fantastic festival which we are thrilled to be part of, it really is the highlight of the music calendar here in the South East.”

The twelve day festival is mid way though its programme and some of the exciting events yet to take place include six nights of competitive light opera performances by a notable number of award winning productions, a High School Festival and some fantastic Fringe events including a free Opera Surprise on November 11 at Garter Lane Theatre.

The festival concludes with an Oscar Style Gala Ball and Awards Ceremony which will take place on Saturday November 13 at The Tower Hotel. Ball goers are in for a treat with a night of spectacular entertainment with a forty piece orchestra; the evening will be hosted by RTE star Maura Derrane; a limited number of tickets are still available at €85 online or by calling 051 853724.

The Waterford International Festival of Music will take place in the city until November 13, 2010. The festival is generously supported by Failte Ireland, Waterford City Council, Waterford Airport and Caulfield’s SuperValu, Book a Room, McDonalds and The Rotary Club and Waterford Credit Unions, George’s Court Shopping Centre AND Suirway Coaches with Light Opera Festival prizes sponsored by WWRD Waterford Crystal. Full details, including the performance programme are available on www.waterfordintlmusicfestival.com.

Graham Doyle CEO OF Waterford Airport sponsors of the Waterford International Festival of Music with Festival Chairperson Anne Marie Caulfield and Gospel Festival Sponsor Kathleen Fitzgerald of Georges Court Shopping Centre greeting the world famous London Community Gospel Choir on their arrival at Waterford Airport on the Aer Arann London Luton flight this morning (Friday November 5) for their highly anticipated performance at the Gospel Festival which forms part of the Waterford International Music Festival 2010.

Graham Doyle CEO OF Waterford Airport sponsors of the Waterford International Festival of Music with Festival Chairperson Anne Marie Caulfield and Gospel Festival Sponsor Kathleen Fitzgerald of Georges Court Shopping Centre greeting the world famous London Community Gospel Choir on their arrival at Waterford Airport on the Aer Arann London Luton flight this morning (Friday November 5) for their highly anticipated performance at the Gospel Festival which forms part of the Waterford International Music Festival 2010. Pictured is Bazil Meade principle male singer with the Gospel Choir at Waterford Airport. Photo Patrick Browne