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 Ireland's 2022 Chorus Champions of the Irish Association of Barbershop Singers. The group currently hold the record for the highest scoring Irish chorus ever in IABS history.
The chorus currently has around 35 members aged between 17 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. 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 35 members aged between 17 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. 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. She is a published arranger of choral and Barbershop Music. Becky has extensive professional recording experience including recording with Brian Masterson, The Irish Concert Orchestra, New Dublin Voices, Maynooth Chamber Choir, Enchiriadis Chamber Choir and UCD Choral Scholars, including film soundtracks, professional Muscial 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, among many other prizes, and touring extensively in Europe. Becky performed with New Dublin Voices as part of the first Irish choir invited to compete in the European Grand Prix of choral singing, the top choral competition in Europe. Becky is Mum to two marvellous little girls who keep herself and her hubby James endlessly entertained and busy. She enjoys baking and reading when she's not singing. |
Current Members
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Tenors
Catherine Conway Hilary Harnett Heléne Ní Sheaghdha Órla Ní Sheaghdha |
Leads
Sinead Cosgrove Gráinne Keogh Jill Kiernan Elizabeth McCashin Jennifer McCay Catherine Noorlandt Kate O'Farrell Ciara Rooney Karina Toolan Orna Toolan |
Baritones
Louise Breen Jade Greene Clare Hayes-Brady Órla Hayes Aoife Kenny Aisling Moore Eimear Nicholl |
Basses
Ali Deegan Ruth Fitzsimons Ciara Flynn Catherine Fox Ailbhe Hayes Anna Haslam Maria Kelly Charlie Oakley |