carlow voices choir

Carlow Voices is a mixed voice, community-based choir established in 2002.

The choir aims to enrich the lives of its members through the enjoyable act of singing, encouraging a shared approach to achieving high performance standards through individual and collective commitment.

Our mission statement proudly reflects the ethos of our choir:

“to enrich its members through the enjoyable act of singing together with an individual commitment to be the best that we can be”.

Our musical director is the internationally renowned concert violinist and chamber musician, Patrick Rafter.

Patrick’s key focus is on the sense of well-being and enjoyment to be gained from community singing while supporting individuals to achieve their full potential, instilling a wonderful belief and confidence in our members.

Since its inception, Carlow Voices has performed a wide repertoire of choral music across classic and contemporary, secular and religious, world and Irish genres. This varied repertoire provides an opportunity for singers to enjoy a challenging and rewarding musical experience through our community-based choir.

Research has shown the enormous health benefits of singing for your mental and physical health and well-being. Singing is a joyful and uplifting experience, generating positive mood, happiness and enjoyment. We are acutely aware that the hope, support, motivation and sense of community that being part of Carlow Voices provides, is needed now more than ever.

Connecting with our audiences, through concerts, charity performances and choral competitions, has overwhelmingly positive benefits for our members but also promotes and creates an awareness of the importance of music across the wider community.  Actively engaging with our local community, supporting local initiatives and causes, enhancing a sense of well-being and inclusion among our members and the wider public, are all very much part of Carlow Voices.