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'Hear our Song’ Gala Concert
The 11th Showcase Gala Concert ‘Hear our song’ was hosted in the Cork City Hall on Saturday 21st March to a large audience. The concert highlighted the high standards achieved by our CCSM students from throughout the county. This year our concert featured solos, duets as well as small and large ensembles. The Cork ETB Junior Orchestra opened the show with Marche Militaire by Schubert, Greensleeves,(trad) and ‘Tommy’ written by Irish composer, Declan Townsend. This was followed by Ella O’Callaghan singing ‘I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon’ by Jeff Moss. Guitar duet, Conor Soltan & Colin McLean performed Rondo by Fernando Carulli. Aoife Clifford & Megan Kiely; piano duet, entertained us with Spanish Dance by Moritz Moszkowski. The programme continued with cellist Laura O’Driscoll playing ‘La Cinquantaine’ by Jean Gabriel Marie.
The multi-coloured group ‘Sing!’ performed ‘The First First Day of Choir’ by Steven Quesnel and ‘The Cuckoo Clock Duet’ by Andy Beck. Solo performances included junior student of the year, Hannah Moloney, violin, Stephan Guiney, piano, Nathan Whiting, trumpet, Sophie O’Shea-vocalist and intermediate student of the year, Kate Moloney, clarinet.
Whistle Up!, a tin whistle group from the Cobh centre played a jig written by Tommy Peoples while their neighbouring students from Scoil Íosagáin, Aghada had feet tapping to a few polkas. They were joined by the sweet singing of the students from Scoil Chill Ruadháin, Glanmire.
The West Cork String Ensemble performed a beautiful concerto by Vivaldi while Robyn Mayes along with Dmitri String quartet gave a wonderful rendition of the haunting ‘Gabriel’s Oboe by Ennio Morricone. The flute ensemble, named Supercaliflutensemble added great energy to the night with their highlights from ‘Mary Poppins.’
The concert came to a finish with the outstanding performance by the Cork ETB Youth Orchestra which included the Symphonic suite from the Lord of the Rings and Overture to the Barber of Seville. ‘Come what may’ was sung by duet Louise Cashman and Aaron Wills who were accompanied by members of the orchestra. The MC for the night was Jimmy Hynes. A huge thank you to all who were involved in a truly memorable night.
Photographs courtesy of Healy-Rimmington
 
 
 
 
High Achievement
Aaron O'Sullivan, Percussion, Ballincollig, pictured receiving his Certificate for High Achievement in his Grade 1 exam with a mark of 97% from his teacher Jimmy Hynes.
Feis Maitiú Winners
Under 11; Eolann O'Toole – woodwind - 3rd place
Under 13; Rory Collins – woodwind - highly commended
Under 15; Maedbh O'Shea – woodwind - 2nd place
Under 17; Molly Burke, Grainne Collins – woodwind - 2nd place
Under 17; Aela O’Toole, Robyn Mayes – woodwind - 3rd place
Senior duo class; Molly Burke & Aela O’Toole - 1st place
Under 16; Classical Guitar; Edward Lane - 1st place
Under 12; Solo Action Song Rory Collins - overall award winner
Wm Egan and Lynch Perpetual Trophies Glaslinn Choir from Bandon conducted by Antoinette Baker
Viola concerto; Georgina Prendergast; 2nd place
Under 13; Violoncello Laura O’ Driscoll; 2nd place
Under 13; Viola; Clara Brech; 1st place
Congratulations to all the CCSM students who competed in Feis Maitiú this year.
Mallow News
On the 14th of March many pupils of the Cork ETB School of Music, Mallow joined together to play for the Saint Patrick's Day Celebration in Market Square in Mallow town. A great day was had by all and the audience that gathered enjoyed traditional music, classical and jazz arrangements. This performance was such a success that these groups have been asked to return and play again during the summer markets.
World Academy Performance
Well done to The West Cork String Ensemble, Serena Sheane, Senior Student of the Year and the Fluteenys on their recent performances at The Tower Theatre, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick.
Tom’s Tales
When I was 10 years old I purchased a LP record of organ music by J.S Bach, performed by an Italian organist Fernando Germani and recorded on the great organ of St Laurence’s Church, Alkmaar, in the Netherlands. This was the first time I heard a pipe organ being played and needless to say it spurred a passion in me for the love of organ music and to play the instrument. I wore out this LP but I was lucky enough to find a new copy in London. Perhaps I should point out that organ music on disc was a rarity in Ireland back in the sixties and seventies. Today I have a collection of CD recordings made on this world-famous pipe organ, which is noted for its magnificent clear tone.
I have always wished to visit that Church and to stand back and look up at that mighty organ that ignited my love affair with pipe organs.
Last February during the Mid-Term I was given permission to visit this church which is now closed to the public. Not only did I look up at this organ but I was given a tour of the instrument and allowed to play it. What an amazing experience! Dreams do come through.
Trip to Newmarket
Students from Cobh, Killavullen and Mallow along with their teachers travelled to Newmarket to join with their friends in the Castle Court Community Centre. We were welcomed by their teacher Noreen O’Connor and CCSM’s Mary O’Brien. There was no shortage of tunes and songs from all who attended from a growing repertoire of common tunes. It was a lovely start to the Easter break. The night finished with the welcome cuppa.
Junior Orchestra News
The Junior Orchestra gathered at the English Market for a morning performance to advertise their February National Festival of Youth Orchestra performance which was held at the National Concert Hall. TV3 News was present for the occasion.
Calum O’Donnell gave the following account of the trip to the National Concert Hall.
Six o'clock, the moment my alarm went off I was awake. I had been waiting months for this day to arrive. I was dressed and ready in a flash. We had packed our bags the night before, so all we had to do was have a quick breakfast before leaving for Ballincollig. As I left the house with my dad and brother, I couldn't help but feel nervous about the day ahead. I was glad we were early as it took a while to load up everything and I wanted a good seat! The cellos took particularly long to load up; thankfully they were going in the boot!
Four hours and a couple of singsongs later Dublin came into view, We arrived at the National Concert Hall and as we walked through the labyrinth of corridors to our dressing room we saw countless posters from concerts held here in the past. It seemed surreal that in a few short hours we would be playing on the very same stage as multiple world famous orchestras and musicians.
The hall itself is amazing, two levels of seats stood before me. The roof is held up by massive columns, above the stage stood an enormous organ which is magnificent, painted green with golden pipes.
As we practised it all began to sink in that the CCSM junior orchestra was going to have full control of stage, even if only for fifteen minutes. We spent the remaining time till the concert started in the dressing room until Helen told us that "the concert is going to begin in 10 minutes!” We were going to open the concert so we had to be ready quickly.
The next few minutes went in a blur and before I knew it the entire orchestra was onstage and moments away from starting. As Helen lifted her baton my heart began to race, this was it. Months of preparation and countless hours of practise were coming down to this.
We opened the concert with a bang and only a few seconds seemed to have passed when our first song finished. Before I knew it the final bar of ‘thriller’ had passed and it was all over. Everyone clapped, Helen bowed and we all got up and left. Hannah and I stayed on stage for an interview with the compere. He asked us questions about the orchestra and what it was like playing in a big orchestra compared to the smaller orchestras at the centres where we learn.
After the interval we went up to the choir balcony to see the rest of the concert. Most of the other orchestras were larger "youth" orchestras but as we all agreed it's 'quality not quantity'. The concert finished at five, Helen and our leader, Emma went onstage and got a rose along with the other conductors and leaders.
As soon as the concert ended we got on the bus, we still had a long journey ahead! Most people went back with their parents but some people like my brother and I took the bus home. It was half one in the morning when we arrived in Ballincollig. By the time I got home it was half two! I was wrecked after it all but I would do it all again in a heartbeat. Thank you Helen, Conor & Yvonne.
by Calum O’Donnell (Violin. Student of Mary O’Keeffe, Bandon)
Upcoming Events
11th April - 8pm - Cork Concert Orchestra - City Hall - details at www.orchestra.ie.
15th April - 8pm - Cork Symphony Orchestra - Aula Maxima, UCC – info from Pro Musica at 021 - 4271659.
Triskel Christchurch Cork
1st May - 8pm - Liam Ó Maonlaí with Ré.
9th May - 8pm - The April Verch Band
13th, 20th,27th May – Band 1 Brigade
23rd May – The Vanbrugh Quartet and guests
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