STARS OF FUTURE CAN LEARN FROM THOSE OF PRESENT DURING FESTIVAL
FOR the first time, the Drogheda Classical Music Series will offer a unique opportunity to audiences, as well as school children, to learn the secrets of some of the finest musicians in the world, in an educational programme.
This is something director of the series Pauline Ashwood has being planning for years, and feels it will add an extra dimension to the season of events, attracting visitors for that alone.
“I love the idea of a mini-festival during the year, and I am so excited that a Louth woman who has made the world her stage had agreed to convene a special weekend, from 31st January-2nd February, entitled ‘Celebrating the Voice’” she explains. “Mezzo-soprano Tara Erraught from Dundalk will look at the voice in all its forms, and the depth and amount of work that is involved in singing and performing.”
Drogheda will become the centre for a weekend of seminars, interviews, masterclasses, concerts and much more all focused around the voice, and Tara will give insights into vocal health and hygiene, including bringing in her own yoga instructor for classes, to show it helps her performance.
One month before that, one of the most dynamic duos in Ireland at the present time, violinist Patrick Rafter and pianist Michael McHale present a programme of Mozart, Ravel, Debussy, Ysaÿe and Franck. This concert on Decelber 6th also features as a focal point for a new education project involving primary school students, funded by Creative Ireland.
“This is a very exciting initiative, which will begin at the start of October, at St Mary’s Primary School, where pupils will learn about the violin, and how to write a sonata, with history and art, with professional musicians,” explains Pauline. “They will then have the chance to play it themselves, at school if they wish, or at a venue, and the day before their own show, these two talented musicians will perform iot for them in the school.”
Patrick Rafter violin with Michael McHale piano - Friday 6th Dec 2019 7:30pm St Peter’s Church of Ireland
Mozart - Violin Sonata No. 21 in E Minor, K. 304
Debussy - Estampes, II. La soirée dans Grenade; III. Jardins sous la pluie
Debussy - Sonata for violin and piano, L. 148
Ravel - Tzigane
Ysaÿe - Sonata No. 3 for solo violin ‘Ballade’
Franck - Sonata in A major for violin and piano