University of Southern Indiana Chamber Choir returns to Mayo
Music lovers are in for a real treat on the Sunday of the June bank holiday when the University of Southern Indiana Chamber Choir will perform at Ballintubber Abbey.
The renowned Ballintubber Abbey Choir and the ever-popular Mayo Male Voice Choir will also take part in the concert.
Performing in Mayo as part of their 2025 tour of Ireland, the USI Chamber Choir, under the direction of Daniel R. Craig, associate professor of music at the University of Southern Indiana, will also perform in counties Clare (The Pavilion, Lisdoonvarna), Galway (St. Joseph’s Church, Clifden, and Kylemore Abbey) and Dublin (Christ Church Cathedral).
The choir has previously performed in Mayo and also took part in the Mayo International Choral Festival, winning the Premier Competition in 2016 and 2018. Their rendition of 'Óró Sé do Bheatha Bhaile', performed at the festival’s gala concert, amassed over 26,000 views on Facebook. The Irish influence in the choir is no doubt due to their musical director, Daniel R. Craig, who has connections to Ireland, generations past.
The choir is dedicated to representing the university as ambassadors of song and music, and has performed throughout the USA and has toured in Poland, Germany, Canada and Ireland. The ensemble promotes quality performances of eclectic choral music in artistic settings.
The students hail from cities and towns across the United States and study in almost every discipline offered at the university. Their repertory ranges from Medieval carols and madrigals to classical, romantic and contemporary settings of liturgical and secular choral music.
The ensemble has also performed with regional orchestras and appeared in New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall.
This concert marks the USI Chamber Choir’s 10th tour to Ireland. On this tour, the choir will be bringing an eclectic array of choral music from sacred to folk and Irish traditional, all arranged by the conductor.
The concert, on Sunday, June 1, starts at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. While admission to the concert is free, all donations at the door will be gratefully received, with all proceeds going towards the Ballintubber Abbey Restoration Fund.