IT'S no wonder
the Gospel Choir singers from Dublin's Church Street are excited.
The group - formed just two years ago - have been plucked from obscurity
to sing with superstar Celine Dion in front of 40,000 people at Lansdowne
Road tomorrow night.
"Our biggest audience up to now was 900 people. It's fantastic"
said choir director Brother John Nugent of the Capuchin Friary in
Bow Street.
The St. Mary of the Angels choir will back the French Canadian singer
when she performs "The Power of the Dream"
- which she sang during the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Atlanta
last year - and for "Call the Man" from her
new album.
"When we got a call from the concert promoters it came as
a complete surprise" said Brother John. "All the
singers are really excited about meeting Celine. It's a wonderful
reward for all the work they have put in over the past year or so."
Thirty singers have been picked to perform at Lansdowne and they range
from teenagers to 30-somethings. Auditions were held to select those
who would sing with Celine and there were "broken hearts"
because some had to be left out. The choir will only have one rehearsal
with Celine tomorrow afternoon. Brother John formed the choir "to
put life back into the liturgy" for young people.
"Some young people complain that Church is boring. I wanted
to get them involved in celebrating and give them a good experience
in Church".
RIGHT:
Celine Dion playing Lansdowne Road tomorrow night.
H
O S A N N A!