What started out as a twelve person community choir under the leadership of Mr. Ronnie Allen in 1980 has grown and developed into a almost 90 person, four part choral ensemble. The Hibernian Festival Singers have performed extensively both nationally and internationally. Their tours have included the 150th commemoration of the Great Hunger in Ireland, Solemn Mass at the Vatican in Rome, Notre Dame, Le Mont-St. Michel, Lourdes, the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Chartres, La Madeleine Church in Paris, Normandy's American Cemetery and Beaches as well as concerts throughout the United States. Some performances of particular acclaim have been Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Columbus Day Parade in Manhattan, Westbury and Valley Forge Music Fairs, St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, St. Ignatius Basilica in Rome, the Stonehill College Irish Festival, the Hofstra University Irish Festival, the St. James Irish Festival, the Nassau Coliseum, Trump Plaza and Shea Stadium.  The Hibernian Festival Singers have had the privilege of sharing the stage with such exceptional artists as the late Frank Patterson, Eily Patterson, Ronan Tynan, Anthony Kearns, Kathryn Smith, Ciarán Sheehan, Gay Willis, John McDermott, Hal Roach, Andy Cooney, Phil Coulter, and so many more.

In 2015, The Hibernian Festival Singers were thrilled to perform in an Off-Broadway production called "The Events" which received glowing reviews from the New York Times. 

Beyond these notable achievements, the group has donated their time to sing for many community, civic, church and Ancient Order of Hibernian functions. They look forward to providing both their local and their larger global com­munity with many more years of quality Irish entertainment.

Our Conductor

Christopher Bilella

Christopher Bilella earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford, in Connecticut where he studied choral conducting with James Jordan of the Westminster Choral College, Pamela Perry of the University of Connecticut and Gerald Mack of the Gerald Mack Choral Series. While at Hartt, Christopher studied voice with Jerome Pruett and David Ray Smith at the Metropolitan Opera House in NYC. 

Christopher received his Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Dowling College and earned a second Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Capella University in Minneapolis. In 2009, he was honored as “Teacher of the Month” by Channel 12 News Long Island and Dowling College.    

From 1991-2008, he served as Music Director for several Long Island theaters including Creative Ministries in Oakdale, The Commack YMCA, Take One Theater in St. James, Kids for Kids in Three Village and Gateway Theater in Bellport and Theater Three in Port Jefferson (keyboardist). Christopher also served as the Music Director, Choir Director, Bell Choir Director and Organist/Pianist for The Bayport United Methodist Church from 1992-1997 and as a Cantor and Pianist for The Church of the Most Precious Blood in Davis Park, Patchogue from 1993-2019.

After 33 years, Christopher retired from the Bay Shore School District where he taught middle school General Music, Choir and Drama from 1991-2008. He also directed the Bay Shore High School Choirs and served as the director of the Bay Shore Drama program from 2002-2024. He also served as Music Director for the Lynn Clark Summertime Players from 1987-1996, and from 1997-2024 he served as the Director and Producer. His drama productions and choral performances have received numerous awards from the New York State School Music Association, the Islip Arts Council and from Music In The Parks Festivals in Virginia.  

In 1992, Christopher was hired as an accompanist for the Hibernian Festival Singers and since 1998, he has served as their Conductor, Music Director and Vocal Arranger. Many of pieces performed by the Hibernian Festival Singers have been customized for them by Chris. Together, he and the “singers” have received outstanding reviews for their performances at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore, Westbury Music Fair, Shea Stadium, Nassau Coliseum, Notre Dame Cathedral, the National Concert Hall in Dublin, the Cruise of Irish Stars and St. Patrick’s Church in Bay Shore.

He would like to thank the Hibernian Festival Singers for their hard work and dedication to all of our rehearsals and performances. They’re a great group of talented singers who welcome new members as family. Christopher would also like to thank Maire Allen Aquilina, Carol Canavan for being steadfast Assistant Directors; Dianne O’Neill for her accompaniment at all rehearsals and performances; Ronnie Allen for his leadership; and finally, his mom, Rita and Joe Ortloff for all their support. Christopher is honored to share the stage with all of these fantastic musicians and looks forward to many more great performances together.

Our Founder

Ronnie allen

Ronnie Allen immigrated to the United States from his hometown of Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland where he was well known for his organizing skills with the local Red Cross. He was the Dundalk Unit Officer and had received an award from the President of Ireland.

A short time after he arrived here, Ronnie put his organizational skills to good use running Irish sports and cultural festivals, dances, and concerts all to benefit the Church, a local Irish Dancing School and the Hibernians.

However, other than his family, his proudest accomplishment was the founding of The Hibernian Festival Singers in 1980. Starting with just twelve singers performing at nursing homes and Hibernian Masses, the group eventually grew to over 80 strong.  They performed in concerts and festivals in many parts of the U. S. and Europe while never forgetting the joy they bring to nursing homes.  The late, great Irish Tenor, Frank Patterson took a special interest in them and invited them to sing with him in Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall and many other places of note that they still perform today.