Press Release: 20/03/2023
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New partnership will see the Avondhu Blackwater Partnership and One Town One Voice team up to establish new singing groups
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A community integration initiative the new groups will reflect the rich diversity of our towns today
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Building on the success of the Fermoy International Choir
A community integration initiative founded in Cork, which uses song to bring all in our communities together, is to see new groups set up in towns across North Cork.
One Town One Voice is a national solidarity-through-song initiative and a follow on from the establishment of the highly successful Fermoy International Choir project.
Teaming up with the Avondhu Blackwater Partnership, Cork County Council, The North Cork LCDC and funded under the SICAP programme, the initiative will seek to build new multicultural community singing groups in Mallow and Buttevant in the coming months and those behind the initiative believe this expansion will be of benefit to all in those communities.
Graham Clifford, Founder of One Town One Voice, said: “We’ve seen through the singing group in Fermoy how singing together can really break down barriers, combat isolation, bring people together regardless of nationality and inject additional positivity, unity and kindness into our communities. Also, it’s great craic and God knows we all need that in our lives in trying times.”
He continued: “We are so grateful to Valerie Murphy and her excellent visionary team at the Avondhu Blackwater Partnership for supporting our expansion and we can’t wait to get going in Mallow and Buttevant.”
Mayor of the County of Cork. Cllr. Danny Collins welcomed the initiative saying:“I’m delighted to see Cork County Council partner with Avondhu Blackwater Partnership and the North Cork LCDC to support the expansion of the ‘One Town One Voice’ initiative in North Cork. Music has a unique way of bringing people together and breaking down barriers. I look forward to seeing singers of all nationalities in the Mallow and Buttevant area come together to mirror the success of Fermoy International Choir. They too will inspire others.”
Valerie Murphy, CEO of the Blackwater Partnership said: “We are delighted to be partnering with One Town One Voice and Cork County Council via our SICAP programme to support communities in North Cork. It is fantastic to see the achievement of Graham and his team in Fermoy and we are delighted to support the roll out of these genuinely fun and inspiring groups in Mallow and Buttevant, to begin.”
The Fermoy International choir has welcomed over 350 members since it first started back in 2019 with over 50 nationalities presented. In keeping with the demographic ratio in the town one in four of those in the secular choir moved to Ireland from elsewhere and members include people originally from countries as diverse as Nigeria, Argentina, South Korea, Ukraine, French Polynesia and Madagascar.
“It’s been amazing” said Graham Clifford, adding “and almost all of those singing with us would never have joined a choir before. Our choir director Lisa Dunphy works to ensure all, including those for whom English is their second language, feel comfortable and are able to contribute proudly and with a smile on their face. It’s light hearted, uplifting and so good for the community.”
A not-for-profit company limited by guarantee the One Town One Voice initiative is supported by the TOMAR Trust and is working to build new groups in Galway, Kildare, Dublin and Kerry at the moment also.
Recently the Fermoy group featured on the RTÉ Today programme.
Now One Town One Voice will seek to find people willing to lead the community singing groups locally with the support of the organisation.
To find out more about One Town One Voice go to Onetownonevoice.ie or email info@onetownonevoice.ie