Music, sport and emotion...

Dear Reader –

I was lucky enough to attend last night’s game between Ireland and France in Dublin. There’s something special about international soccer - you can tell it means more to the players. There is a great video in the What’s New section below that demonstrates this. Plus some thoughts on sport for children.

Last week’s answers:

Answer to the questions in last week’s letter: Mi, and see chord chart below.

*Note that classical music isn’t designed to be notated in chord charts, but it is an interesting exercise to try and hear the chordal harmony behind the melody. Did any of you try it? Please get in touch if so - it was hard!

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

Letter reader Fintan Kennedy left a thoughtful comment at the bottom of last week’s letter. It’s there for you all to read, including a podcast recommendation on the point he addressed - the crossover between music and sport. Because there are many similarities.

They are both forms of human expression.

They both have the ability to bring us to places of emotion that we rarely otherwise reach.

They both require a high level of teamwork and collaboration.

But there are differences too…

In music there is no-one trying to purposefully stop what you are trying to do.

Sport at the highest level is inherently competitive, whereas music shouldn’t be.

As Michael Parkinson said on the Second Captains podcast a few years ago - “sport is not war, or death, or famine – it's not that at all. It's the opposite of that. It's to persuade us of a life outside of that…that's why sport's important”.

The same can be said of music.

Here’s to both.

Where else but Sligo?

You don’t need me to tell you that Jamie Callaghan has taken the Theme Nights by storm since Eddie Lee sent me a video of him busking a few short years ago and recommended I get him involved.

What you may not know is that he fronts a band called Túsk and they have just released their debut album.

Check it out here.

What’s New?

1. SPORT (AND MUSIC) FOR CHILDREN: This short blog sums these sometimes mad worlds up brilliantly.

2. DONNY: More new music from Sligo artists here - this one is from Donny Dunko - and if you’re into your dance music it’s a must-listen.

3. DON’T CRY FOR ME… The first three minutes of this video are incredible. The Argentina fans welcoming their world champions home for the first time. The players are visibly affected…

Finally…

This was fun - my 2017 ode to sport. Featuring Seamie O’Dowd, Steve Kohlmann and Tommy Moore.

Questions:

Difficulty Level 1 - In what key is this song?

Difficulty Level 3 - There are two notes in the opening 18 seconds of melody that aren’t part of this key. What are they?

Till next time - Kieran.

Unlikely partners...

Dear Reader –

This week’s features lots about classical music and the GAA - strange bedfellows but their worlds do collide sometimes…read on for more!

Last week’s answers:

Answer to the questions in last week’s letter: 6 beats in a bar. 9 bars in the Intro.

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

“They practise without being asked” - so went the title of an August 2022 edition of this letter.

And for parents of music students - that is the dream. But most of us know that it doesn’t always happen. I see it with my own children, and hear about it from talking to parents of students over the years. Indeed I have had a few of these conversations in recent weeks, so I thought I’d share the advice I gave in case it is relevant to anyone reading.

I will always ask first if the student is enjoying the lessons. If they aren’t, then it’s probably a sign that learning the piano isn’t for them right now.

If they are however, then even if they aren’t doing much practice at home, it’s worth considering keeping them at it. At a basic level, giving our children the chance to play music is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. Secondly however, attitudes to practice can change so quickly at a young age.

I have seen it happen countless times - a student is coasting along - doing fine but their rate of progress might not be setting the world alight. Then something clicks. It might be something they see on TV, an upcoming performance, something said to them by a peer or a new song choice. Whatever it is, motivation increases and hence so does the time the student spends at the piano. This happens regularly and it’s always lovely to see it.

The other angle I will always explore with parents relates to song choice. We work hard to give students as wide a choice as possible with their songs, but we can’t cover them all. So if a student is struggling with motivation, dig deep with them to find a song they would really like to play. Let us know and myself or one of my colleagues will write it out for the student at the relevant standard. It’s amazing how often that makes a difference.

Where else but Sligo?

I met a former Kerry footballer at the weekend. I never played against this man, but he was a serious footballer, with four All-Ireland medals and multiple All-Stars to his name. We got chatting, and he played for me a beautiful piece of music by Frederic Chopin and told me the story of how it played a big part in the history of one particular Kerry footballing great.

He then told me the tale of how previously he had a similar conversation with a friend in Kerry. He got to the point of playing him the piece of music when five seconds into it, his friend turned his ear away and said “Yes but what about the minors this year?”

So he was impressed with the fact that I actually listened to it, and remarked that we all must be cultured in Sligo given that our crest is the only one with a book on it. Never have I been prouder of our wonderful county!

What’s New?

1. LYRIC FM: Slag me all you want about getting older (!), but turning on this station always calms life down.

2. LEITRIM v SLIGO: Last game of the league. Local rivals. Their last game went to penalties. Only one can get promoted. It all comes down to this Sunday. 1pm in Carrick-On-Shannon.

3. THE RECOVERY TOUR: I was watching the St. Patrick’s Day Parade last Friday, and in the midst of all the sports clubs, trucks and marching bands were two lads relaxing and looking great in the back of a Bentley. More power to ye Joe Shannon and Georgie Gorman -find out more here.

Finally…

This wasn’t the piece of music played to me by my new Kerry friend, but once I heard the name Chopin I was immediately reminded of it. One of the most beautiful pieces ever composed for piano. Close your eyes and take 4 minutes for yourself in the company of this master.

Questions:

Difficulty Level 3 - If the first note of the melody is ‘sol’ (5th note of the scale), what is the second?

Difficulty Level 5 - Complete the chord chart (below) for the first 8 bars. *Note this piece is originally written in 12/8 time but I have written it in 3/4 time below for ease of answering.

Till next time - Kieran.

"That was posh at the time"...

Dear Reader –

Today - things you will only hear said in Sligo PLUS Hanson’s MMMBop as you have never heard it before, but first - news of a new weekly feature…

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

I’m going to try something new in today’s letter. It’s for anyone who’d like to test their musical ears and maybe even their knowledge about how music works. You might even learn something along the way too…

So - from now on there will be a question about the featured song at the bottom of the letter each week. It will have a difficulty rating of somewhere between 1 and 5 (1 being the easier end of the scale). Comments with the answers are welcome.

I’ll give the answer (and explanation if required) the following week.

Where else but Sligo?

A selection of comments I have heard about Sligo over the last week alone…

“It’s only since returning here as an adult that I realised how beautiful a place it is”.

“They lived in Rose Hill - and that was posh at the time”.

“We need a minister - we have nothing here”.

“It’s the hidden gem of Ireland, but we’re kind of happy with that”.

“It’s the people from Sligo who give out most about the place”.

“Sometimes you realise how small a place it is in the bigger scheme of things”.

“We have the best music scene in the country”.

“We don’t want to be a Galway”.

“Come on to f*** Rovers”!

Where else but Sligo indeed.

What’s New?

1. SUMMERHILL COLLEGE…are in the A Schools All-Ireland final this Friday. A huge achievement for any Sligo team. Well done on all you have achieved so far lads, and don’t stop now!

2. OFF TOPIC BUT GREAT: For anyone currently in the phone/social media battleground with their children - Margaret Lynch will give you a lot to think about in this brilliant column.

3. SCARY POCKETS…are a funk band who release weekly covers on YouTube. Core members are Ryan Lerman and Jack Conte, who enlist the help and support from a rotating roster of the best session musicians, singers and producers in the Los Angeles area. Check them out below…

Finally…

Sinéad and I were out over the weekend and heard one riff from the below song faintly in the background. Our thoughts immediately turned to trying to figure out what song it was. Both of us first thought of Declan O’Rourke but realised soon after that we were wrong. It was one of those that would have ruined our evening had we not got it. Finally, from this riff I managed to get the song’s melody into my head but my singing it did nothing for Sinéad! Eventually she said Hozier, the song immediately came to me and our night was saved!

Questions:

Difficulty Level 2 - How many beats in a bar?

Difficulty Level 3 -How many bars in the intro?

Till next time - Kieran.

Good news stories and teenage superheroes!

Dear Reader –

Three happy stories in the What’s New section this week, but first some insights into an incredible weekend of Teenage Theme Nights. Plus one of my all-time favourite songs…

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

So Teenage Theme Night #28 took place last Friday, Saturday and Sunday. One-Word Wonders was our theme - so any song with a one-word-title. It was a blast from start to finish and there was a fantastic buzz around the Model for all three shows.

The four teenagers pictured below are this year’s emcees and each did a great job in their own way. Johannes’ calm, Orla’s energy, Clodagh’s thoughtfulness and Saoirse’s sense of craic all contributed to the shows running smoothly and comfortably for everyone.

Their song choices reflected the variety on offer all weekend. Clodagh (below, left) chose Requiem from the musical Dear Evan Hansen, Saoirse (who celebrated her 18th birthday on stage with us on Sunday) sang Waterloo, Orla (below, centre) went with an acoustic version of Calum Scott’s Rise and Johannes (above, right) teamed up with saxophonist Charlie McKenna to bring us a version of Miles Davis’ jazz standard Four.

Thanks to all who came and supported the show - I really hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. These Teenage Theme Nights are a part of my work that I really love and cherish and you guys continuing to support them makes it all possible.

Where else but Sligo?

A selection of short stories about young Sligo musicians from last weekend’s shows here for you today…

Sam is so comfortable behind a drum kit that he managed a whole adult Theme Night gig recently with ten days notice. He chose to play a few jigs on the tin whistle instead this time and I have never seen him as nervous. I love how he took himself out of his comfort zone though, and he got the payoff he deserved - a massive reaction from our Sunday audience.

Casey, Roisin, Lucy and Anna proclaimed themselves Sligo’s first ever all-female rock band when they opened the second half for us on Friday night. Can anyone out there disprove them?! They chose a difficult number - Radiohead’s Just - and they swept us along with them with a fantastic performance.

Anna Rose wanted to sing Shallow but needed a male partner. I asked her could she sing it on Sunday because I knew that our graduate that night (Michael) would be the ideal foil for her. And so it transpired - these two great voices brought the house down and it was amazing to see this new partnership blossom.

John Mackey knew he was being cheeky when he (as a 5th Yr) asked could he perform a solo piano version of the Interstellar Theme music at last years 6th Yr showcase. There was to be no stopping him this time however, as the theme this time allowed for it, and he got a huge reaction from our Friday night crowd.

Finally, seasoned pro Eddie Lee (pictured below with guitarist Keith O’Donnell) sat in on bass with Ethan, Lorcan and Kian for Metallica’s One. It’s a seven-and-a-half minute rock symphony and Eddie reckoned he spent more time learning this than the rest of the weekend’s songs put together. An example of musicianship at its finest from all parties - firstly three lads who nailed this difficult piece but also Eddie who had one go at it and did the same. While rocking out!

What’s New?

1. SECOND CAPTAINS AT 10: Congrats to Eoin, Ken, Murph, Simon and Mark on this milestone. The lads ripped up the sports media playbook with their new venture in 2013 and have produced year after year of brilliant work since. Mark told the fascinating story of how it all happened on an Instagram post last week.

2. HAIRSPRAY SOLD OUT: Congrats to Karen Gordon and all the Pop-Up Theatre crew on this amazing achievement. With four weeks still to go before the show. Enjoy the lead in lads…

3. IN THE LAMPLIGHT: February saw the latest edition of the Sligo Comedy Festival. Director Brendan Tierney was our guest on our latest podcast and told us the story of the festival (including all the ups and downs). Also includes some happy news, and a challenge from Rory to us all…listen here or wherever you get your podcasts.

Finally…

I can’t believe this song hasn’t featured in this section before as it is one of my favourites. It was performed by Kayleigh Henry and Ciara Courell at our shows last weekend and I was thrilled to see it is reaching a new generation. For a deeper dive, watch this 5-min interview with Billy Joel where he explains the meaning of the song, as well as the influence of Beethoven on his music. This live version has an extra bonus at the start too!

Till next time - Kieran.

The end of an era...

Dear Reader –

And what an era it was!

Some sad news for us all in Sligo this week - but first, something to look forward to this weekend…

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

January 2020 saw the last pre-pandemic Teenage Theme Night and for the three years since it has been the benchmark to which I have aspired to return. It featured huge numbers of teenage musicians, great performances, engaged audiences and a magical atmosphere all weekend.

So I really am delighted to say that for the first time since, I think we’re back there. The interest among teenagers is at an all-time high, there are some great new performers and bands around and I can’t wait for you all to see what they have ready for us over the coming days.

One person that deserves huge credit for this is TTN graduate Joy Feehily. Joy knows the nights inside out, having been centrally involved on and off-stage when she was a part of them. She has brought great insight and has carried on that great work in many unseen ways since to help the current crop of teenagers enjoy their time in the spotlight!

Teenage Theme Night #28 takes place this weekend (March 3-5) in The Model. Tickets available here.

Where else but Sligo?

So Marie O’Byrne is leaving the Hawk’s Well Theatre to take up a job in her hometown of Ennis. This statement was released by the chair and board of the theatre last Friday and provides great insight into the amazing job she has done and the esteem in which she is held by the artistic community in Sligo.

It’s sad for us all, of course - Marie has done so much for so many here. On a personal level she has had a huge impact on my work and has become a great friend along the way. I know I’m not alone in Sligo in wishing her the very best in the next stage in her career. The people of Ennis will soon realise what a gem they have gained and I look forward to seeing the great work she does there.

I feel Marie is to the Hawk’s Well like Brian O’Driscoll was to the Irish Rugby team in the noughties. Both came into institutions which possibly had seen better days and completely turned them around. However the Irish Rugby team now is a far better team than the one in which O’Driscoll played. The foundation laid by him and his teammates was built upon by future players and management and now the Irish Rugby team can legitimately be called the best in the world.

And so on a positive note, the hope for us in Sligo now is that likewise the brilliant work done by Marie and her great team since 2011 is only the beginning. There is so much potential in this town and I am looking forward to working with whoever comes into the role to see what comes next.

I have told Marie that there will always be a place for her on stage with us for the theme nights and what a welcome she will get when she returns!

What’s New?

1. IN THE LAMPLIGHT: February’s episode will be out later today (Tuesday), but while you’re waiting, check out this episode we recorded with Marie in April 2021 to celebrate her 10 years at the helm of at the Hawk’s Well.

2. SHIPRECS: Teenage Theme Night graduate Joe Gorman writes and produces Shiprecs - which promises to recommend 100 interesting reads in 2023. His latest edition is out now and is my favourite so far, with top-class articles on Michael Jordan, Attention Alcohol, and the origins of the weekend! Check it out here.

3. KINDRED HEARTS: Another Teenage Theme Night graduate Callum Wall (pictured below) was our featured guest on last month’s Young Songwriters’ Showcase. He released his latest single last week - which also features regular Theme Night band members Tom Ryan and Eddie Fitzpatrick. Listen here.

Finally…

Brad Mehldau has a new album out where he plays the music of The Beatles - and it’s just beautiful. Thanks to letter reader Des Power for sending it my way last week - I spent all weekend listening to it - especially the track below. Extra bonus of sheet music on this vid - for anyone brave enough to take it on!

Till next time - Kieran.

The Sunny Side...

Dear Reader –

It’s not just the sun that can light a flame…read on for more…

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

I was 12 years old when my friend Andrew played me this track.

Ha! I wasn’t actually. I was 14. I was sure I was 12 - I could see the room we were in at the time and all (or so I thought) but then I did some research and I see that the album didn’t come out until 1994. By which stage I was 14. Just shows you how our memories can deceive us!

One way or the other I was definitely young and impressionable when I heard it. Bumble Boogie - The opening track on Jools Holland’s 1994 (!) solo piano album. And from that moment on I saw the piano in a whole new light. It was exciting. Dynamic. Mysterious. Where were all these notes? And how could he play them so fast?!

I wrote two weeks ago about our ever-so-slightly late (!) Christmas piano concerts. And only this morning I heard yet another story from a parent about a child who had been at the concert and hasn’t stopped playing piano since. And it’s the same thing that happened to me in 1994.

Ignition of that flame inside you. Inspiration. Get to a piano quick cos I need to play.

It’s why I make sure that some older children and teenagers perform at the beginners’ concerts. To show them what’s possible, but also to appeal to something inside of them. Something more basic. Something that tells them this is something they need in their lives.

Similarly, it’s why we always ask graduates back to perform at the Teenage Theme Nights. To inspire the current crew and show them what is possible if they keep at it. Here are our three featured performers from next week’s shows - from top, clockwise - Michael Donaghy (2018), Nathan McLoughlin (2022) and Niamh Keaveney (2017).

Where else but Sligo?

Just direct your feet…to the sunny side of the street.

What’s New?

1. UNCERTAIN SMILE: I met lots of new people last weekend. Many of them asked, as we all do, what I do for a living. When I told one such man he told me I simply had to listen to Jools Holland’s piano solo at the end of Uncertain Smile by The The. So I did - and it’s great (even if the piano is a bit lost in the mix)!

2. THE TOWER OF HANOI: Not new at all - it has been around for years, but I was reminded of this classic maths puzzle this week. Usually done with 7 disks.

3. SLIGO JAZZ 2023: 25-30 July 2023. Registration open and early bird offer available now.

Finally…

To get us in the mood for summer - here’s a classic jazz standard - inspired by our feline friend above!

Till next time - Kieran.

The LOVE edition....

Dear Reader –

Valentine’s Day won’t fall on a Tuesday again until 2034, so today’s letter is all about love (and music, and laughter - but lots of love)!

**Disclaimer - If you’re looking for love advice this is probably not the place to come - however I have long believed that loving yourself makes it easier to love someone else, and so this is where today’s letter begins.

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

I listened to an amazing podcast this week - one which charts the journey of a musician from self-loathing (at times) to self-love. It touches on subjects such as compassion for yourself, being true to yourself and accepting yourself - all in the context of a life and career in music.

And while it would be unusual for me to recommend a book or podcast in this part of the letter, this one really has been the big thing for me this week so if I’m being honest, this is where it should go.

There’s no doubt that part of the reason I have got so much from it is that I’m a fan of the host (Cory Wong), the guest (Theo Katzman) and a band in which they play together (Vulfpeck), but the discussion is just so honest and open that you can’t help but be drawn in.

It touches on many themes that regularly feature in these pages - things like authenticity, the importance of community and the courage to be yourself as an artist. There is also great insight on songwriting, the mental struggles an artist can go through and how to get really good at your instrument.

It’s two hours long, but well worth it. Click on the image below or search for ‘Wong Notes Theo Katzman’ wherever you get your podcasts.

Where else but Sligo?

Next, a short Theme Night love story…

The wedding of a good friend is always something to celebrate, but when two friends marry each other it makes the occasion even more special. This must be why I remember Theme Night #10 so well, as it was the night before two great friends and colleagues hitched their wagons together.

Eddie Lee had come up with the great idea of doing a Theme Night featuring the music of Burt Bacharach, and so on Thursday June 12th 2014, in association with Sligo Jazz, we presented this show in The Velvet Rooms.

I’m not sure if Sinéad Conway has forgiven me yet for the timing of this gig, as it’s still one of just two Theme Nights that she has missed. She and husband-to-be Steve Kohlmann had a big day the next day however so we forgave them for not making our show!

We did manage to get through the gig without them, and I remember in particular some beautiful string arrangements by Niamh Crowley, Joe Hunt’s performance of Painted From Memory and Cathal Roche adding so much to the night on his many instruments.

Mr. Bacharach of course left us last week, and I was reminded of how much fun we had playing his music that night - he really was a master of creating great melodies and matching them with unusual chords. Here’s one of many magic moments from the show...

What’s New?

1. MORE BURT BACHARACH: Take some time out and watch this wonderful celebration of his music featuring the likes of Stevie Wonder, Diana Krall and Sheryl Crowe.

2. THE GAME: Speaking of honesty, this is one of the best books I have ever read on sport. It comprises 18 essays covering sport from every possible angle, while doubling up as a memoir of pivotal sporting moments in author Tadhg Coakley’s life. Order it from your local bookshop.

3. SLIGO COMEDY FESTIVAL: This week. All week. Pick your gig(s), get out there and have a laugh!

Finally…

As the man himself says below - this song presents such an important lyrical thought. Have a great day everyone!

Till next time - Kieran.

Be the Wheel...

Dear Reader –

Today’s title is taken from one of my favourite artists’ new album. I’m trying to figure out what it means - any suggestions are most welcome!

**All hyperlinks in bold.

The Big Thing

OK - so what comes to mind when I think of a wheel is that it’s often described as man’s greatest invention. Wheels have been put to use in many different ways throughout history, but primarily made it much easier for our ancestors (and now us) to get from A to B.

Which is kind of like the concerts we put on for our piano students. People take up the piano for many different reasons, but if like many your A is not being able to play at all and your B is being able to play confidently in front of people, well then these concerts will certainly move you in the right direction.

But not just this, it’s also where the magic happens. It’s where children can discover the inner steel to keep going after a mistake, where unsure fingers can hover over notes for seemingly interminable lengths and where relieved smiles abound as generous applause sounds. It’s where younger students stare open-mouthed at what the teenagers can do and where people go home determined to practise harder so they can be as good as their peers next time.

Thanks to everyone who performed, everyone who came to watch, and to the brilliant gang of teachers and unsung heroes who made it all happen.

Where else but Sligo?

February.

Windows opening to let the world in. Emergence without emergency. Bonus Bank Holiday - Go raibh maith agat Naomh Bríd. Another chance to reset.

The sporting world wakes up. Our inner clocks chime with the return of the Six Nations. National League football and a big win for Sligo. Everything is still possible.

Walks. Wheels turning. Wash the car. No leaves yet but they’re on the way. Birdsong. This is where it all went wrong in 2020. But not this year. This is the year. And it’s only getting going.

A taste of spring. Give us more.

What’s New?

1. BALLYGOWAN ANYONE? In what quite a few listeners have described as our funniest episode yet, the In The Lamplight crew pounced on a loose comment and put my strong (!) water opinions to the test. Plus Stoic Philosophy and some big promises! Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts…

2. SEÁN DWYER: He was the wheel that made the pubs and community organisations of Sligo turn for many a year. Not one to wait for others, he was usually first in and the man to get things done. I knew him best in Connolly’s on our many Monday nights there. He knew his music, his sport and his customers and made it easy for us to do our jobs. Rest in Peace Seán.

3. AN CAILÍN CIÚIN: What a beautiful film. Still showing daily in the cinema in Sligo.

Finally…

I guess we should let the man himself have his say - Theo is back!

Till next time - Kieran.