Doreen Browne will take a break from her position as secretary to the dean in the Faculty of Business Administration next week and focus her attention on getting the most out of another tight schedule. Ms. Browne, member and manager of the Philharmonic Choir of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra (PCNSO), will travel to Ireland tomorrow to participate in a nine-day choral tour of that country.

“Through my travels across Europe over the past years, I was always astounded at the history and the massive cathedrals and old stone buildings,” said Ms. Browne. “I would imagine being able to sing in such beautiful structures with my fellow choristers. Then, with the twinning of St. John's and Waterford, together with the direct historical and cultural connections between Newfoundland and Labrador and Ireland, the idea of a choral tour to Ireland became logical and irresistible. It is also the home of the first performance of Messiah, which is an annual event for the Philharmonic Choir. “

The Philharmonic Choir was formed in 1987 under the initiative of its current conductor, Dr. Douglas Dunsmore. It has grown into an accomplished, mature community choir exploring and performing a wide variety of repertoire. Over the years, it has proven its commitment and dedication to choral music, and has contributed significantly to this province's musical legacy. Through its performances in Ireland, the PCNSO will be promoting the university, the city, the province, Festival 500 and the country.

“At the time of inception, the Philharmonic Choir's selected membership was drawn directly from Memorial University's Festival Choir, so its roots are firmly planted throughout the university,” explained Dr. Dunsmore, who is also a professor at the School of Music where he conducts the festival and chamber choirs and teaches undergraduate and graduate choral conducting and voice. “Indeed, today, its membership consists largely of Memorial alumni and other faculty and staff associated with the university.”