We rose early, breakfasted, and were on the bus to Cobh in Cork County by 8:30 am. Our goal was Bunscoil Rinn an Chabhlaigh (I'll let you figure out how to say that), a primary (elementary to us) school of over 700. It is the largest primary school in Cork County. It was founded by the Mercy Sisters in 1860 on the grounds of Rushbrooke Convent, adjacent to the Convent Farm. At that time it was located on a quiet country road and consisted of a 2-classroom building. The local population began to grow rapidly following a building boom in the Rushbrooke area in the early 2000s. Today there are 50 teachers, 14 Ancillary staff (secretaries, caretaker and 10 SNAs) to meet the needs of 730+ children, grades pre-K to 6th grade.
We were greeted warmly by the assistant headmaster and several parents. The school was impressive from the beginning—if they can teach their students what we saw on these two signs, the children will have a wonderful springboard into their teens.
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We were introduced as being from Iowa, but that is, after all, a state with 4 letters also. I couldn't begin to get the counties straight in this country! Dr. Crane used many students to help as the choir demonstrated warming up, showed the kids the extremes of the choir's vocal range, and used some exercises to help get the wiggles out of the audience and the choir.
All 700+ students covered the auditorium floor, with about 80 faculty, staff, and parents lining the walls. They hung a dozen or so small American flags behind the area where the choir stood, which inspired Dr. Crane to have them begin by singing our national anthem. Students taught a couple of songs to the kids, and the choir sang bits of "The Rocky Road" and "Jerusalem." They ended with a "I Got a Song" and sent the kids out with smiles.
There were some very cute children there, but I cannot show their faces online. If you ever want to see them, ask one of us to share photos. They were very fashionable in their track suits, which give them comfort and flexibility while learning. They have shorts that match for when it's warm, but the mum I spoke with said their warm isn't really very warm. I believe that.
We were driven back to downtown Cork and set free to find lunch and fill the time until we met again at the Cork City Hall.
This afternoon was a session for all the choirs to "meet" each other through song. In a very informal setting, every choir gave a short introduction to themselves and their piece, then performed it. These choirs are the ten International Competitive Choirs who are vying for the Fleischmann International Trophy.
But first, we enjoyed two Irish fiddlers who had the floor vibrating with the choirs' tapping feet. Then we met the judges of the competition, who left before the performances so they could hear the choirs tomorrow for the first time without prejudice. And last the Lord Mayor of Cork welcomed us. He had a lot to say, but mostly he wanted all the choirs to form friendships with one another in this ever-growing complexity in which we live. He ended with a solo—quite a brave move in a room full of singers! He started "Smile"—that song from the 1920s—and those who knew the words joined in.
And now, meet the choirs of the competition. It should be said that in their introductions, many of the choirs mentioned that attending this festival has been a goal of many years; they had to work hard to have the money to travel and to apply. Simply being here is a triumph for them.
One last gallery tonight:
Wish us luck!