AACCA To Host Irish Tenor Anthony Kearns At SPHS

By: Amanda Donohue
Published in the January 8 edition of the Severna Park Voice

Anthony Kearns, a member of the world-renowned musical group Irish Tenor, will perform a solo concert on Thursday, January 16, at Severna Park High School as part of the Anne Arundel Community Concert Association (AACCA) season.

Kearns was given the name of “Best Irish Tenor” in the U.S., U.K. and European Union in 2010 by the Irish Music Association. He has been exposed internationally as a true talent in singing a wide repertoire of songs at a tenor range, one of the highest for the male voice types.

Kearns' musical career accelerated in 1993 after winning an on-air contest called “Ireland's Search for a Tenor” held on Gay Byrne's radio show. After winning three rounds of singing, he was invited to sing on “The Late Late Show” and was recognized by one of Ireland's best music instructors who convinced him to study at the Leinster School of Music. Kearns went on to perform in a multitude of competitions and won many awards. He joined The Irish Tenors in 1998 and has also performed solo for more than 13 years.

As part of his performance, he will promote his new debut CD “With a Song in My Heart” and sing classic Irish and Broadway tunes accompanied by a piano. The theme for his performance in Severna Park will not be a consistent one. “He is comfortable in lots of different genres. He sings opera, but also less popular and more Irish tunes or Broadway showtunes – a combination of things,” said Gale Gillespie, board member of AACCA. Members of AACCA can expect to hear the ballad “Danny Boy,” which Kearns sets to the Irish tune of “Londonderry Air.”

While Kearns will perform primarily as a vocalist, Gillespie is hopeful he will speak about the background behind a song or about his Irish heritage.

“He has a very large and loyal fan base. We have had over a dozen calls from people wanting to see him,” said Gillespie. Fans of Kearns that aren't members can see him perform for $20 at the door. “People who are fans have been stunned at this price and said they'd pay $100 to see him,” she said.

The Anne Arundel Community Concert Association’s season of not-to-be-missed performances will continue through spring with two more shows following Anthony Kearns. All performances begin at 7:30pm and are held in the auditorium at Severna Park High School.

On April 10, Baltimore-based musicians Jose Cuerto and Nancy Roldan will perform at Severna Park High School. With Cuerto on violin and Roldan on piano, the teacher-artists will delight audiences with their renowned instrumental talents.

Then, on May 16, Bach to the Future will perform. The group has earned rave reviews nationwide for its exciting arrangement of classical favorites with jazz and world music influences. Bach to the Future uses instruments such as the keytar, zendrum and violectra to put a modern twist on classical works, and audiences are sure to gain a new appreciation of all the masters from Beethoven to Bach.

For more information on any of the concerts, or to order a season subscription to AACCA shows, visit www.annearundelconcerts.50megs.com.ga