Verdi 53 is Loreto on the Green’s past pupil choir and provides "a lovely, relaxing and sociable way to start the week and keep the vocal cords well-oiled by both singing and chatting". The choir meets every second Monday evening in the school assembly hall from 7.30pm to 9.00pm and are delighted to be accompanied on these occasions by Alison Thomas. The programme is a varied one, incorporating modern, traditional and religious music. There is no arduous audition process - just bring your enthusiasm.  You'd be very welcome and we’d love to hear from you!

Any Loreto on the Green past pupil or staff member (past or present) who would like more information should contact Catherine-Anne Dooley for further details. Members of the online network when logged in can contact Catherine-Anne by clicking on the envelope icon on the pink bar at the top left of the page or by clicking on Catherine-Anne's name in the 'Featured' section. 

History of Verdi 53

In 2008, having attended the Loreto on the Green’s 175th Anniversary Maytime music evening in the National Concert Hall, Catherine-Anne Dooley, the then Green Past Pupils’ Association president, began to look into the possibility of setting up a past pupils’ choir. Having enjoyed the wonderful choral performances that evening, she felt that the Association might be able to offer pupils the opportunity to continue their choral experience once they had left school.

Catherine-Anne liaised with Tríona Barrett, the school principal at the time, and very soon Caoimhe Iníon Uí Áinle from the school’s Music Department, and herself a past pupil, came on board as the choir’s director.

The name Verdi 53 was chosen as a nod to the name of the school and the number on the hall door! The word quickly spread and by September 2008 Verdi 53 had close to thirty very eager and committed members who were ready to sing. A year or so later, the choir was delighted to welcome school staff members, along with sisters from the Loreto community who had links with the school.

Under Caoimhe's excellent direction, Verdi 53 has gone from strength to strength, performing at a variety of events - Maytime Music in the National Concert Hall, Loreto Past Pupil Union Days in Dalkey, the Evergreen past pupils’ concerts, Christmas recitals and Christmas carolling on Grafton Street and, by invitation, at funeral Masses and memorial events.

Some feedback from our choir members:

“I really look forward to Verdi rehearsals!”

“I've found singing in a choir so positive for my well-being. Food for the soul!”

“Verdi gives us a sense of achievement and satisfaction when we learn new songs and perform them.”

“Caoimhe has a magic wand….”

“The choir brings a sense of togetherness and joy.”

“A lovely, relaxing and sociable way to start the week and keep the vocal cords well-oiled by both singing and chatting!”

Any Loreto on the Green past pupil or staff member (past or present) who would like more information should contact Catherine-Anne for further details.