If the Kilkenny Gospel Choir was only that - a gospel choir - it would be impressive enough.
The group, which launches its first CD today, has performed at the National Concert Hall and earned the admiration of the Blind Boys of Alabama when it attended a concert by the boys at Vicar Street in Dublin and ended up performing a number of songs with them.
The Blind Boys were sufficiently impressed to dedicate a song to the choir on each subsequent performance of their Irish tour.
What makes the gospel choir extra-special is that each of its 110 members does outreach work in the local community. Last year it focused on men in need, and the services provided included Christmas dinner for the residents of the Good Shepherd Centre for homeless men in Kilkenny.
This year it has concentrated on supporting women, and the proceeds from the CD will go towards the Rape Crisis Centre and Women's Refuge in the city.
Members of the choir, which was formed in October 2000, come from Britain, Germany, France, Austria, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria and Cameroon. Every county in Ireland is represented, except Monaghan.
Seven of its members are asylum-seekers, and one of these will launch the CD at Kilkenny Castle. The choir was organised by the diocesan chaplain to the asylum-seeking community, Father Willie Purcell, who says it has played a significant role in helping asylum-seekers integrate into the community.
Members of the choir are learning about each other's cultures, and its repertoire now includes songs in Swahili and Zulu.
The choir has performed mainly in Catholic churches to date, but it is multidenominational and includes a number of Muslims.
The 13-track CD is available in record shops in Kilkenny and can also be purchased via the group's website at www.kilkennygospel.com