Dear Reader –
The year is firmly up and running - hope it’s been good for you so far!
The Big Thing
New year new Teenage Theme Night. The 31st of the series.
And yet more teenagers joining our programme - great to see it!
2024 started with a busy few days of rehearsals for next week’s shows. It’s one of my favourite themes each time it comes around - The Best of Irish - and here’s what I learned from the teenagers this time…
The songs most in demand are as follows - Falling Slowly, Take Me to Church, Chasing Cars, This Town, Zombie and (in no small part thanks to our graduate Emily Meades) Black Tears.
Hozier is amazing. And so popular with our younger generation. Am loving all the new songs of his I’m learning as a result.
Bands are back! We have more bands than ever taking part, including our first all-female band.
At an age where many are still finding out who they are, a bit of charisma stands out a mile. And Ben (below) has both in spades…
And best of all - the future for music in this part of the country is bright!
Where else but Sligo?
My first piano teacher passed away last week.
Kathleen O’Hara was her name, and I used attend lessons with her on the grounds of the Ursuline Convent in a long building that isn’t there any more. There were wooden benches in the hall and I used get my homework done there while my brother went in for his lesson. Fights about who would go in first (or last)!
Kathleen was a lady though. And a great teacher. She gave me the building blocks of technique and theory that stand to me today, and although I had no interest in the grade system and exams, she gave me enough leeway with my choice of pieces outside of these to light my musical fire.
Her funeral was a celebration. There was lots of amazing music played by her (no surprise here!) incredibly musical family. My favourite was hearing Give me Joy in my Heart as the recessional hymn (with the congregation singing two parts) - what a happy soundtrack by which to be carried out of a church.
Rest in Peace Kathleen.
What’s New?
JANUARY: It’s my favourite month of the year. Another 52 of our four thousand weeks have passed since it was last here. But it’s the best (but not only) chance to make the next 52 better!
CAHOKIA JAZZ: By Francis Spufford - great fiction book set in the golden age of jazz. The main detective is also a mean piano player - what’s not to like?!
NEW TERM OF PIANO LESSONS: Last few slots available - we start next week. More info here.
Finally…
We’re building up to our big release of Pro Murray’s song and video this coming Jan 19th.
First though the previous two videos in this series - starting with Waiting by Corcra.
Till next time - Kieran.
