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The vision of the Irish Heritage Singers is to preserve, perform and bring to life the cultural heritage of Irish music to the Chicago community and wherever the spirit of the Irish is present and to be cultural and artistic ambassadors of the IAHC.
About the Irish Heritage Singers
In the late 1970's and early 1980's, a group of individuals began to sing Irish songs together, meeting regularly at the IAHC. In 1985, the Irish American Heritage Singers Choral Group was formed under the auspices of the Irish American Heritage Center of Chicago. Between 1985 and 1999, the group grew to a membership of 22 and began, under their new directors, to broaden their repertoire to include pieces involving four-part harmony.
In 1996, the group changed its name to the Irish Heritage Singers. Since 2000, the group has grown to approximately 45 members of all ages and increased its visibility through its numerous public performances.
The Singers perform traditional Irish and Irish-American music including songs as well as music by contemporary Irish choral composers. To date, the Irish Heritage Singers is one of the very few Irish/Irish American Choral ensembles in the United States.
We have performed at various venues over the years including:
• The Irish American Heritage Festival
• Celtic Fest Chicago
• Milwaukee Irish Fest
• Irish Fest at Gaelic Park
• Kalamazoo Irish Fest
• Long Grove Irish Fest
• Arlington Heights Irish Fest
• Peoria Irish Feis
• Elmhurst, IL Park District’s Music Under the Stars Concert Series
• Hoffman Estates Park District’s Summer Concert Series
• Chicago’s Newberry Library
• The Chicago Cultural Center
• Numerous St. Patrick’s Day festivities
• Performing for two Presidents of Ireland
• The Sligo International Choral Festival in Sligo, Ireland
We have sung at numerous masses and weddings and the IAHC's Christmas and Palm Sunday Masses. We perform music in English, Latin and Irish.
Director Mary Grimes-Kelly
Mary Grimes-Kelly has been singing and playing keyboard professionally since she was 16 years old. She studied piano at St. Vincent Ferrer and Rosary College in River Forest. She studied voice at the Chicago Conservatory of Music and Rosary College. Her music career includes being a music director, cantor, organist and pianist for several churches in the area. She has also directed and assisted in directing adult choirs and children’s choirs for the Chicago Catholic Archdiocese.
Grimes also performs music for wedding ceremonies and wedding receptions, private parties and restaurant settings. She has been a member of the Irish Heritage Singers for 14 years and is currently the Director of the Legacy of Erin Children’s Choir.
To see where the Singers will be performing next, please scroll down to the “Upcoming Performances” section.
We are always looking for new members who have an interest in Irish music, are willing to make the weekly commitment of practice and are capable of taking part in a schedule of 15-25 performances a year. You do not need to know how to read music, but you must be able to sing on key. You do not need to know how to speak Gaelic. See the "How to contact us" section below for information on contacting us for an audition to join.
How to contact us:
If you are interested in becoming part of this lively ensemble, contact us at 773-282-7035 ext.34 or e-mail
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Stop by any Thursday night rehearsals at the IAHC Center between 7:30pm and 9:30pm.
If you would like to have the Irish Heritage Singers perform at a function, would like more information or would like to purchase one of our CD’s, please contact us via e-mail at:
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