2013 Press Releases

Concert music to ears of charity duet

14 Jun 2013
The arresting pomp of the Garda Band will add to the occasion, in support of Cork Simon and Cork Penny Dinners.

The dulcet tones of Anthony Kearns and Cara O’Sullivan will drift across the Quad on 21 June, and all in aid of two deserving charities.

The 2,000 seater alcohol-free outdoor concert in support of Cork Simon and Cork Penny Dinners will see one of Cork’s favourite sons, solicitor Gerald Kean, perform as celebrity MC on the night. Now in its 8th year, A Summer's Evening on the Quad has raised over €300,000 for local charities. What started as a fledgling event in 2006 has grown into a mammoth fixture on the UCC and Cork musical calendar. It has attracted a past audience of over 12,000 people, who recognise the lifeline such charities provide to Irish society. The arresting pomp of the Garda Band will also add to the occasion.

Catriona Twomey of Penny Dinners highlighted the essential role the volunteer-driven charity provides: “Our ethos here is that we serve everyone, and I mean everyone - no questions asked. We want to let people know that they can come to us if they are struggling. We will support you and take care of one element of that struggle. We would like to thank all involved in putting together this wonderful concert”.

Dermot Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Cork Simon Community said: “This concert epitomises the generosity of the people of Cork - organisers, performers and guests coming together in support of those less fortunate.  It promises to be an uplifting and inspiring concert and will help the increasing numbers of people turning to us for support.  It will help make sure that people who are sick, isolated and vulnerable have a chance to manage their health, overcome their addictions, find a home, improve their education and skills; in other words, have a chance to hope again, to rebuild their lives and feel part of the wider community”.

Concert-goers are certainly in for a treat. Cork born soprano Cara O’Sullivan has been a supporter of the concert for many years and again this year she will raise the proverbial rafters with her beautiful singing voice. She is an artist with an impeccable operatic pedigree who has risen to prominence as one of Ireland’s leading sopranos. She holds a remarkably full voice, exciting and dramatic, yet always performing with great sensitivity. She has shown herself to be a fearless vocal artist, whether singing Mozart, Verdi, Donizetti, or Puccini.

Wexford native Anthony Kearns is a true lyric tenor. He has incredible agility and flexibility of voice and the ability to color notes gracefully and beautifully. Kearns has a deep love of opera and a devotion to the genre. Whether in the realm of the classics or the traditional music of his homeland, the power and clarity in ‘The Voice’ expresses great truth and rich conviction. Anthony Kearns is the consummate performer with universal appeal.

The Band of An Garda Síochana has a stellar reputation, undertaking a dedicated community-orientated programme each year. As well as performing at schools, festivals, sporting events and official Garda functions, the band has represented Ireland internationally.

The concert will also have a Gathering element, with Dianne Timm, Assistant Professor in the Counselling and Student Development programme at Eastern Illinois University, Marjorie Savage, Parent Programme Director at the University of Minnesota, and Denise Gifford, Assistant Provost and Dean of Students, at Widener University, Pennsylvania, among the international guests invited to attend the charity concert. The visitors are coming to Ireland as part of the NASPA International Exchange programme - Ireland 2013. NASPA is an international association for the advancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession. 

Organised by UCC General Services and Community Policing, Barrack Street, media sponsorship is kindly provided by the Evening Echo. Main sponsorship has been generously provided by BAM Contractors, as well as Washington Village, the River Lee Hotel and Heineken.

Tickets (€30) are now available from UCC Visitors’ Centre, Tel: 021 490 1876 or Email: visitorscentre@ucc.ie and Pro Musica, Cork, Tel: 021 427 1659 or Email: sales@promusica.ie The concert begins at 8pm.

Follow the build-up to the big day on Twitter: @AsummersEvening or see www.asummerseveningonthequad.com for further information.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ASummersEveningOnTheQuad

University College Cork

Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh

College Road, Cork T12 K8AF

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