PRONI to host evening of song and celebration

The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) in Belfast will host ‘Cantiunculae’, a magical evening of music, history and festive celebration on Thursday 7th December.

PRONI is currently celebrating its centenary and this special event will feature music inspired by PRONI’s one hundred years of collecting and preserving the history of Northern Ireland, as well as readings by staff and volunteers from some of the fascinating documents held in the archives.

Belfast based chamber choir, Cantiunculae will perform a series of carols, including the debut of an original piece, ‘One Hundred Years’  written by Jim Johnston and composed by David McCann.  

David Huddleston, Acting Director, PRONI encourages anyone interested to register for the evening, which will be held in the iconic PRONI building in the Titanic Quarter. 

David said:

“The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland’s centenary year has been celebrated with several historic firsts. I am delighted that we are about to witness another one, with an original piece of music inspired by PRONI’s 100th birthday. It has been created by local musician David McCann and writer Jim Johnston and will form part of a festive evening of music, history and celebration that will see carols interspersed with readings from fascinating documents held in the PRONI archives.

“This is a novel twist on the traditional nine lessons and carols and I am looking forward to this special premiere to mark the 100th anniversary of PRONI.”

Local composer David McCann said:

 “My co-writer, Jim Johnston and I wanted to write a song around 'One Hundred Years', thinking of all the records that PRONI has kept since 1923, and all that might come to pass in the next century.

“We wondered if people in 2123 would remember our actions and our words, and would they have solved the issues we face? The composition also asks if we ourselves could not make the changes we need now. The choral part of the new song will be sung by Cantiunculae and with a spoken word section over the final chorus.”

Find out more about this festive evening and reserve a free ticket here.

Notes to editors: 

1. Cantiunculae is a local 12 part chamber choir About - Cantiunculae and the evening will consist of carols and readings from the archives. 
2. Media enquiries to DFC Press Office.
3. Follow the Department on Twitter @CommunitiesNI
4. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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