Roscommon Solstice Choir have been announced as the winners of the People’s Choice Category at the 2017 Epic Awards.
The Epic Awards are an initiative of Voluntary Arts, an organisation that works across the UK and Republic of Ireland to promote participation in creative cultural activities.
Roscommon Solstice Choir fought off competition from 31 other in the public vote and will collect their prize at a ceremony in Gateshead on Sunday March 19th. They are also in contention for a number of other Awards on the day.
Formed in February 2013 as part of “The Gathering” the Roscommon Solstice Choir was initially set to perform for just three concerts, in June of that year and then disband. However, due to the unprecedented success of the initial concerts it was decided to continue the choir on a permanent basis. They toured throughout the country in 2014 and in 2015 they travelled to London to perform in aid of Acton Homeless Concern. Over 90 members paid to travel to London and the concert raised over £5,000.
2016 saw the Choir stage a joint production with Roscommon Drama Group as part of the 1916 Centenary Celebrations. ‘A Nation Once Again’ was performed to sold-out audiences for three nights at Roscommon Arts Centre in April. Later that year the group were awarded a runner-up place in the Pride of Place Awards in Belfast, having been nominated by Roscommon County Council.