The Presentation Secondary School Choir. Programme has been in existence since 1996. Since that time the choirs have enjoyed tremendous success and at present involve over 350 students.

In the Department of Education Choral Examinations held each year in March, the choirs have been placed in the top ten choirs in the country on several occasions. In 1999, the Senior Choir took third place nationally out of 500 choirs. In 2000, the Senior Choir was placed 5th nationally, out of over 600 choirs. In 2006 and 2007 they took 1st place.

Also in 2000, the Junior Choir was chosen to represent the Republic of Ireland in a series of gala concerts to celebrate the Millennium. This was a joint North/South venture involving nine schools, six from Northern Ireland and three from the Republic. The choir performed in concerts in Dublin, Cork, Derry and the Waterfront in Belfast.

In September 2002, the Senior Choir was honoured to perform in Aras an Uachtaráin at the special invitation of President Mary McAleese. In December of the same year, the choir was chosen to participate on the Christmas 'Late Late Show', where they performed their renowned rendition of 'Gaudete; Christus Est Natus'. They also sang with Sinead O'Connor, Mary Black and Phil Coulter.

In 2004 and again in 2007 they won RTE Lyric FM "Choirs for Christmas" competition.

From 1998 to 2007 they were major winners each year at the Kilkenny Music Festival.

2005 saw them winning all Secondary School Competitions at Arklow Music Festival.

IIn 2006 and 2007 they won 1st place at the Cork Choral Festival, while in 2008 they were in 2nd place.
2006 also saw them win 1st place at Feis Ceoil in Dublin.

At the Wesley College Inter Schools Festival in 2008 they took 1st place in 3 part and 4 part Competition. In 2009 they won the 4 Part Competition.

2009 - Qualified for the final of the All Island Choral Competition run by Cooperation Ireland

UPCOMING EVENTS
Annual Wesley College competition, Friday March 5th.

The Choral Programme is under the direction of Ms Veronica McCarron B.Mus. H.Dip. Veronica is a 1972 graduate from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music in Glasgow. Since then, she has taught classroom and choral music in Ireland, Scotland, Australia and the U.S.A. Veronica and the choir have now produced a CD of a concert given in St. Mary's Cathedral, Kilkenny. It is titled 'A Presentation of Song'.

There are now two CD's on sale in stores in Kilkenny. Cost is €15.
To order a copy of this CD
Phone: +353 56 7765684 or
e-mail: preskilkenny@eircom.net

The CD's are called

''A Presentation of Song''

and

''A Presentation Through the Seasons''