BACKSTAGE PASS: TARA BRADYmeets the music director of the Dublin Gospel Choir
'WE REHEARSE AT least twice a week," says Orla Gargin, music director of the Dublin Gospel Choir (DGC). "But around November and December we're often gigging five or six times a week on top of that. We love it and we have great friendships. But it's a big commitment."
That hasn't prevented the gang from braving snow, treacherous pathways and assorted winter elements to put the finishing touches to their Christmas repertoire. Nothing banishes thoughts of frightful weather quite like a few dozen people harmonising O Holy Night.
"Even with our Christmas stuff, we try to find songs that are a bit less conventional," Gargin says. "We do a lot of contemporary music, but also some rarer jazz and gospel and Irish tracks. And there's the odd Christmas standard in there too."
In this eclectic spirit, the DGC has, to date, covered such diverse acts as Sigur Rós, Primal Scream, Franz Ferdinand, Michael Jackson, U2 and Mumford and Sons. "We encourage everyone to bring ideas and make suggestions," notes Gargin. "We cover all kinds of styles. There's nothing we won't consider."
Formed in 1995, the choir was a happy accident that came about when a junior choral group tried out some numbers from the movie Sister Act. "It was a group of sixth-year students who were doing their graduation mass at the time," says Gargin, who has been with the choir for 10 years. "They asked a teacher about doing a few less traditional pieces. And after that they were hooked. They enjoyed it so much they had to keep going."
From these humble origins the group has evolved into a five-piece band with 35 singers. Their big sound has proved ideal for musical collaborations and major shindigs. They helped launch the shiny new stadiums at Croke Park and Landsdowne Road and has worked with Nitin Sawhney, John Legend, Riverdance, James Brown, Damien Rice, Rod Stewart and The Chieftains.
"I remember once, when we were younger," Gargin says. "We were backstage at the Meteors and watching all these celebrities. And Lionel Richie came over and he was so amazing to us. That was the start really. We've been very lucky to end up working with John Legend and people like that. We've had a lot of great supporters."
Such prestigious collaborators and engagements demand rigorous backstage regimes . . . and a heck of lot of honey. "About five years ago we got a vocal coach in," Gargin says. "Since then we've been watching our hydration and warm-ups. A lot of the time people are coming straight from work, so making the mental transition is important. It can be quite demanding on the voice, especially around Christmas. Manuka honey is a great help."
For all the wear and tear on the old pipes, the Dublin Gospel Choir are not short of volunteers. They currently have 53 members, and a waiting list of more than 200.
"We hold auditions every year," Gargin says. "Our members come from all walks of life. Most are in their 20s, but we have some people in their 30s and 40s.
"We come from all musical styles. We have some from a jazz background and others from classical. It keeps things interesting. It doesn't matter where we come from or how we trained: something magic happens when all those voices come together."
The Dublin Gospel Choir will sing at Candlelit Gospel Mass, St Mary of the Angels Church, Church Street, Dublin 7, tomorrow night
