Blingmasters is a treble-voices Barbershop Chorus based in North Dublin. It was founded in 2018 by Becky Gilbert of Lady Barbalade. The chorus is based on the foundational principles of good singing and fabulous dresses. Blingmasters are 2018, 2022 and 2024 National Chorus Champions of the Irish Association of Barbershop Singers. The group currently hold the record for the highest scoring Irish chorus in IABS history.
The chorus currently has around 40 members aged between 8 and 60 (ish) and gives opportunity to people with treble-voices to sing and perform who otherwise may not be able to participate due to the demands of young families, busy jobs and busy lives. We want to bring the wonderful, positive mental health benefits of singing and music to as many people as possible.
Blingmasters’ aim is to be a force for good in the world, and give our singers an outlet to have fun, enjoy singing and meet nice people in an open and inclusive environment. We are baby-friendly, job-friendly, partner-friendly and with so many new mums in the group, we often have little voices adding their own notes to our rehearsals.
The chorus currently has around 40 members aged between 8 and 60 (ish) and gives opportunity to people with treble-voices to sing and perform who otherwise may not be able to participate due to the demands of young families, busy jobs and busy lives. We want to bring the wonderful, positive mental health benefits of singing and music to as many people as possible.
Blingmasters’ aim is to be a force for good in the world, and give our singers an outlet to have fun, enjoy singing and meet nice people in an open and inclusive environment. We are baby-friendly, job-friendly, partner-friendly and with so many new mums in the group, we often have little voices adding their own notes to our rehearsals.
Becky Gilbert - Director
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Becky Gilbert is an experienced, award-winning Musical Director, Choir Director, Singer, Arranger and Musician. She is Head of Early-Years Music at the Irish Institute of Music and song and her mission is to get the world singing !
She began her musical education at the age of 4 and has been a member of performance groups since the age of 7, beginning with 'The Capriol Consort', under the direction of Professor Doris Keogh, and most recently branching out to Barbershop, being a founder member of Lady Barbalade, Irish Champion Barbershop Quartet, and founding Blingmasters, Irish Champion Barbershop Chorus. Becky studied flute and recorder with Prof. Doris Keogh, piano with Anita Hopper and voice with Edel Loftus as well as conducting with Dr Marion Doherty-Hayden and Dr Jo Michael Scheibe. She is a published arranger of choral and Barbershop Music. Becky has extensive professional recording experience including film soundtracks, Muscials Album recordings and choral and orchestral recording. Becky is a former member and assistant conductor with the award winning Enchiriadis Chamber Choir and Cor Fingal. She is a former member and soloist with New Dublin Voices, winning the prestigious Guido D’Arezzo International Choral competition. Becky is Mum to two marvellous little girls who keep herself and her hubby James endlessly entertained and busy. |
Music Team
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Sarah Jaysmith heads up the Blingmasters Music Team.
Sarah Jaysmith is an award-winning music director, composer, piano teacher, and accompanist, who is also an experienced information manager. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Trinity College, Dublin, a Diploma in Piano Teaching from the Royal Irish Academy of Music, a Masters of Library and Information Studies from University College, Dublin, and an Associate Degree in Software Development from the British Columbia Institute of Technology. Sarah spent many years as the Musical Director for The Broadway Chorus (a theatre group based in Vancouver, BC). Her particular interests are musical theatre and choral music, and her compositions and arrangements have been performed in many countries. She has recently returned to Ireland after many years abroad, and Blingmasters are delighted that she has joined our team. |
Current Members
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Tenors
Catherine Conway Hilary Harnett Heléne Ní Sheaghdha |
Leads
Deirdre Allen Anita Behan Martina Cleary Sinead Cosgrove Fi Coyle Alexandra Didilescu Ciara Dunbar Isabella Dunne Alison Forde Ellie Gilbert Rose Gilbert Clodagh Leavy Jennifer McCay Kate O'Farrell Jacqui Oakley Ciara Rooney Helen Skinner Orna Toolan |
Baritones
Louise Breen Ruth Cooper Eileen Dunne Siobhán Griffith Clare Hayes-Brady Órla Hayes Jill Kiernan Siobhán Mooney Aisling Moore Eimear Nichol Órla Ní Sheaghdha Sarah O'Connell |
Basses
Aoife Burke Ali Deegan Ciara Flynn Catherine Fox Ailbhe Hayes Anna Haslam Maria Kelly Roslyn Kelly Christina Matthews Arlene Murphy Charlie Oakley |