Gala Concert to celebrate 30 years of St Canices Instrumental Music Programme
Maria Comerford, Principal St Canices NS Kilkenny, Regina O Leary, and Ruth O Leary
The Watergate Theatre Kilkenny was the venue on Saturday 22 June for a musical spectacular to celebrate 30 years of the renowned Instrumental Music Programme in St Canice’s N.S. Kilkenny. ‘30 years of Music Making – A Celebration’ was a night to remember the many achievements of the music programme since it was founded in 1983. The concert was a showcase not only of current musicians in the school but also of several past pupils who have gone on to become renowned musicians in their own right, such as Maria Ryan (current holder of the Heineken violin), David O Leary, Alison Comerford and Mark O Leary.
The concert also featured groups of local secondary school students, who had started their music in St Canice’s and who continue to play and enjoy music together as well as St Canice’s Gateway Orchestra, a very special adult orchestra of amateur musicians making their debut performance. Eamon Cahill, who is synonymous with teaching jazz in Kilkenny also featured 2 of his jazz bands in the show. It was a night of musical diversity; from French horn, and trombone, played by brother and sister Muireann and Lorcan Brennan to violin and flute, played by Aisling O Dwyer-O Brien and John Donovan, both of whom teach music locally.
One of the highlights of the evening was the performance of Mendelssohn’s Octet for Strings, where several of the solo artists came together for one night only to form a special octet. The group received a standing ovation with many of those in the audience saying their performance alone was worth the trip! Maria Ryan, celebrated violinist treated the audience to Tchaikovsky’s “Melodie” followed by the frenetically paced “Banjo and Fiddle” by Kroll. David O Leary, violinist with the English National Opera, played ‘Carmen Fantasy’ by Sarasate and again received a standing ovation for an outstanding performance of this virtuoso piece. St Canice’s Senior Orchestra, conducted by Ruth O Leary, closed the show. This multi-award winning orchestra has proven over the years to be a springboard for many musicians to even greater things and these children are themselves ‘musicians in the making’. The night would not be complete without special mention of the woman who made this all possible. As the show came to a close, Regina O Leary received a special presentation from her son David in recognition of her creation of a legacy of music for thousands of children in Kilkenny. Regina in turn expressed sincere thanks to all who had contributed to the success of the programme over the last 30 years.
Speaking after the show acclaimed Dublin conductor and adjudicator Dr Albert Bradshaw praised Regina for the profound effect she has had on the lives of so many through her work in music education and for bringing the children’s “musical sense” to life. While it was an emotional night, it was more than anything a night of celebration. The last word should be left with Regina who simply said “I expected the concert to be very good but I didn’t imagine just how amazing all the performances would be. It was truly a celebration”!
