New Ross Singers remember the ending of World War I

New Ross Singers are busy with the final rehearsals for their performance of “The Armed Man” on Sunday, November 11 at 8pm in the Parish Church, Robert Street, New Ross.

This powerful composition was first performed by the choir in 2010 when it was received with great acclaim.  Planning their autumn schedule, conscious of the upcoming centenary of the end of World War One and wishing to commemorate the occasion, it was felt that it was the most suitable work.

Composed by Karl Jenkins, a Welsh composer, “The Armed Man” was commissioned to mark the turning of the new millennium. As the most war-torn and destructive century in human history was left behind, the world needed to look back and reflect but also to look ahead with hope to a new and more peaceful time.

Taking as its starting point an anonymous French marching song, “L’Homme Armé”, the theme of which is “the armed man must be feared , Jenkins sets elements of the Christian Mass, Biblical psalms, secular texts from classical poets as well as Muslim, Hindu and Japanese source materials to craft a work that conveys a powerful message for world peace.

Perhaps one of the most moving pieces is one written by Japanese poet Sankichi Toge who survived the atom bomb strike on Hiroshima but died eight years later from radiation-induced leukaemia.

During the work of composition Jenkins was deeply moved by unfolding events in the Kosovo conflict and dedicated ”The Armed Man” to its victims. However it remains relevant in a world that is still troubled by continuing conflicts.

The work is not uniquely Catholic or even Christian.  It recognises what the preamble to the United Nations Charter calls “the scourge of war” as a universal human tragedy.

Both challenging and accessible,”The Armed Man” is a thought-provoking composition communicating the powerful message of world peace.  It blends genres and cultures and embraces the full range of emotions that war evokes. It provides us with moments of deep reflection and is a final hope for peace in a troubled world.

Soloist for this performance will be Hayley Crosbie, from Creacon, who made a name for herself at the 2017 Wexford’s Got Talent competition.  Classically trained, Hayley has participated in many shows and musicals and at 15 years old performed in an opera in Prague.

The choir has also engaged Musici Ireland, an experienced and highly-regarded orchestra, who has accompanied them for several of their major concerts.

New Ross Singers has been in existence for over 30 years under the direction of Connie Tantrum and they have performed many major choral works, most recently “The Creation” by Haydn.  They are proud to be bringing “The Armed Man” to the New Ross audience on the anniversary of the very day that World War One ended 100 years ago. It will be a moving tribute to the many young men from the area who went off to fight in the “Great War” and, in particular, to those who never came home.