Dear Reader - we were taken around the world by members of our Theme Night Academy this weekend - from Babylon to Brazil, from Tennessee to Tunisia and finally back home to the Hills of Donegal and the Isle of Innisfree.
The Big Thing
Yes that’s right - the theme for Teenage Theme Night #34 was Places - so any song with a place name in the title. A brilliant theme choice actually - some great songs and huge variety all weekend.
Think about it - what would you pick?
Hotel California? Sweet Home Chicago? Budapest? Englishman in New York?
As always the weekend produced lots of memorable performances and some great stories. I’ll fill you in on more below, but to start it was lovely to see each of our featured graduates include a sibling who is a current member of our Academy in their performances.
So a huge thanks to…
Emily Howard (2019) and her sister Bella
Eddie Fitzpatrick (2021) and his sister Meadhbh (pictured below)
Patrick Conneally (2022) and his brother Rory
Happy families all round!
Where else but Sligo?
There are always standout musicians on these nights. Especially in terms of the 6th Yrs who are coming to the end of their three years with us.
Sam Regan played on 14 songs this time. Drummer Cal Halpin wasn’t far behind him and has developed such a great feel in his playing. And Rory Conneally brought a smile to my face every time he played that piano. Such a special talent.
One of the highlights of the weekend was when he accompanied Mimi Lee on Georgia On My Mind and watching Eddie Lee and Ken McDonald enjoying every minute of playing with him.
And then there was the birthday trio. Sarah Flavin, Jack Keaveney and Mimi Lee all celebrated their 18th birthday over the weekend and there were 6 cakes between the three of them!
There was a big crew of 6th Yrs in the green room after the show on Saturday hanging out, chatting about the show and eating cake. And it struck me that this is what the Theme Night Academy is all about really.
Yes the music is important but the personal development and friendships made is what really matters.
I thought back to when these guys joined us as Transition Year students back in 2022 and how they have grown and matured since. And then I looked at some of our current TYs and looked forward to seeing how their 18 yr-old selves will show up in two years time.
The likes of Liam Curran who blew people away with his guitar playing on a Motorhead song. Laynah Murphy who delivered an emotionally powerful version of Brooklyn Baby. Or Brooklyn Hunter (pictured below) whose voice captivated our Sunday night crowd.
I can’t wait to find out!
What’s New?
BIG NEWS: Only 6 weeks to go until the last Teenage Theme Night of the year - and for the first time we will be collaborating with the Sligo Academy of Music Sinfionetta for what feels like the biggest ever celebration of youth music in Sligo! More here.
3 MOST POPULAR SONGS OF THE WEEKEND: I’m always interested in this - to see what is currently resonating with the younger generation.
The answer?
Billy Joel (Vienna, New York State of Mind) and Hozier (From Eden).COOL ENVY: A friend of mine said to me over the weekend - “Kieran I’m probably 40 years older than Sean Boni (pictured below) and I’m pretty sure I have never in my life been as cool as he is now”.
Finally…
This is a fantastic album. Dave Grusin’s arrangements of tunes from West Side Story.
Thanks to Sean’s coolness for reminding me of it today!
Till next time - Kieran.
