West Cork Choral Singers In December 1990, Reverend Richard Henderson asked Ann Chambers (a locally-based American artist) to invite non Church of Ireland members to help boost the strength of the choir for the annual carol service. The group which eventually evolved into the West Cork Choral Singers first saw the light of day in 1990 at a performance in Abbeystrewry Church at the Christmas carol service. In 1991, the fledgeling choir came together again for the Christmas carol service. Because of the interest shown a formal choir was formed in January, 1992, and named the West Cork Choral Singers.
The choir initially comprised a very small group: 6 sopranos, 4 altos, 2 tenors and 2 basses. Their first concerts were also small affairs held in Abbeystrewry Hall. In 1995 the choir performed a musical called The Tram, written, produced and directed by Ann Chambers. In 1996 an abridged version of The Mikado by Gilbert & Sullivan, with Jerry Kennelly as Nanky Poo, Nuala Gibbons as Yum Yum and Margaret Newcombe as Katisha was performed with the children of Abbeystrewry National School providing the chorus. In 1997, Ann Chambers returned to America and Margaret Newcombe became musical director.
In 1998 the choir had the good fortune to meet Diana Llewellyn, a classically trained Welsh cellist, who very kindly took us under her expert tuition and has served as musical director ever since.
West Cork Choral Singers - Stainer's Crucifixion 2002
