19.05.2025
TCD Chapel Choir Tour Istanbul
The Choir of Trinity College, Dublin, has just concluded a week on tour in Istanbul.
On Friday May 16 they performed at a concert in Christ Church, which is the Church of England church in Istanbul. They gave a concert of music which ranged from Palestrina to Stanford to a large and appreciative audience.
On Saturday May 17 they sang at Mass in the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Esprit. Finally, on Sunday May 18 they sang at the Eucharist in Christ Church, where the Dean of Residence, the Revd Canon Paul Arbuthnot preached.
The choir were delighted to be joined by Trinity College alumnus and renowned actor Dominic West who came to the service and spent time in conversation with the members.
The tour to Istanbul was made possible by the organisational skills of the conductor of the Chapel Choir Callum Byrne, the Director of Chapel music Dr Kerry Houston, and the Chaplain of Christ Church, Istanbul the Revd Canon Ian Sherwood. The trip was also kindly supported by the Chapel Committee of Trinity College, Dublin.
Canon Arbuthnot commented: “All of us associated with the chaplaincy at Trinity College Dublin are very grateful for the kindnesses shown to us on our recent tour of Istanbul. The choir sang beautifully and are a credit in all ways to the college, the dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough, and the wider Church of Ireland. The choir’s busy programme in Istanbul reflected the commitment of the chaplaincy of Trinity College Dublin to ecumenism by singing in the Roman Catholic cathedral on the Saturday night. Once again we reiterate our sincere thanks to everyone who made this worthwhile trip possible and supported it – this was a most worthwhile trip on which all who attended will look back on with very happy memories”.
