Sing and You Win

2005, 25 minutes. RTÉ

On Good Friday 2005, The Lismorahaun Singers, an 80-strong amateur choir made up of farmers, teachers, bikers, pensioners, children and housewives performed Mozart’s Requiem with a full concert orchestra in St Michael’s Church in Ennistymon, Co.Clare. This event was a dream come true for the singers and especially founder and conductor of the choir Archie Simpson, a larger than life passionate and inspiring Scotsman who has introduced this colourful mix of people into his unique world of song and music.

Set in the spiritual landscape of the Burren in West Clare, Sing and You Win tells the life affirming story of a rural community brought together through the influence of one man.
Archie uses a rare voice production technique linked to Tai Chi and the results have transformed people lives. The majority of these people can’t read music and participating in the choir has had an extraordinary effect on them, they speak of discovering their identity, bursting into tears, gaining genuine self confidence and being helped through huge life ordeals like death, illness and marriage breakup. Filmed from the preparations in early February to the climax night in late March this is a warm and inspiring story about the effect one man and singing have had on this small rural community.

Credits

Photography – Donal Gilligan

Editor – Brenda Morrissey

Producers – Adrian McCarthy and Martha O’Neill

Director – Oda O’Carroll

Radharc Awards 2006, Highly Commended

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