Young singers are being sought to participate in a mass choir in conjunction with the appearance of the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland (CBOI) at the Milwaukee Theater. "The Crossing" concert will be presented at 7 p.m., Oct. 28. The orchestra is touring Stateside this autumn, with shows in Chicago, Boston and other communities, in addition to Milwaukee. 

In each city, choirs of up to 500 youngsters will perform along with the 130-member symphony made up of musicians from both Ireland and Northern Ireland. Representing all segments of the two countries’ Catholic and Protestant communities, entertainers’ ages range from 12 to 24. 

Dublin’s Gearóid Grant, one of Ireland’s top conductors, is directing the concert. In 2004, He celebrated 25 years with the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland. Grant also marked 25 years as conductor and musical director of the Rathmines and Rathgar Musical Society. He has also conducted the RTE Orchestra, the Ulster Orchestra and the Irish Chamber Orchestra. 

Navan-born composer Brian Byrne, now living in Los Angeles, is putting together some special scores for the concert, according to Sharon Treacy Dunne, orchestra founder. The music presented ranges from pop tunes through Irish traditional music, she indicated. Emmanuel Lawler, considered one of Ireland's leading tenors, is soloist with the CBOI. 

"We tour every second year," Dunne said, pointing out how the orchestra received numerous standing ovations at Carnegie Hall in New York and other venues during its previous American appearances.

Dunne, of Dundalk, encouraged Milwaukee area music teachers and choir directors to participate in the upcoming program. For information, contact John Gleeson, co-director of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Celtic Studies program (gleeson@uwm.edu; 414-229-2608). To learn more about the orchestra, which was founded in 1995, check its website at www.crossborderorchestra.ie.