The Choir and Orchestra of the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe, will present a special concert entitled A St. Patrick's Day Celebration on Sunday, March 17th at 3:00pm, as part of the Basilica's 2012-2013 Concert Series.

Also performing on this concert will be the Emerald String Quartet.

The concert will present a wide variety of sacred and secular Celtic music, including music of Irish composers Charles Wood, Charles Villers Stanford, Michael McGlynn and others. Also featured will be a generous selection of traditional Irish folk songs and hymns arranged for choir and strings. Several works by local composer Robert Kerr will be presented. An audience sing-a-long of favorites will round out the afternoon.

The Basilica Choir was founded to minister to the many tourists and visitors to the Central FLorida area, and to provide sacred music at weekend Masses. The singers in the choir are all professional musicians in the Orlando area and are under the direction of Dr. William Picher.

The Emerald String Quartet is under the direction of Robert Kerr. The Daily Commercial has written that Kerr "...has been widely praised for his ability to tranform his violin into a purely emotional instrument." As a founding member and director of the Emerald String Quartet, Mr. Kerr has performed throughout the United States as well as in Japan, Scotland, and South America.

Admission charge for the concert is $10.00 for adults, under 12 are free. Group rates are available in advance by calling 407-239-6600 x317. Tickets are available in advance at the Basilica Gift Shop or by calling 407-239-6600. They will also be available at the door.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe is located at 8300 Vineland Avenue, Orlando, near the Lake Buena Vista exit of I-4 (#68). There is ample free parking.

For more information, call the Basilica Music Department at 407-239-6600 x317, or email: music@maryqueenoftheunivese.org.