AWARD WINNING ARDEE MUSICIAN ROBERT FINEGAN TALKS
THE AWARD WINNING ARDEE MUSICIAN ROBERT FINEGAN TALKS TO MARGARET RODDY AHEAD OF HIS UPCOMING PERFORMANCE WITH ST PETER’S MALE VOICE CHOIR FOR THEIR CHRISTMAS CONCERT
IN Renaissance times, the arts such as music and painting were closely linked with the sciences so no one would have thought it strange when Robert Finegan decided to swap his choice of career from physics to music. The 20-year-old Ardee musician has no regrets about that decision as he prepares to join the renowned St Peter’s Male Voice Choir in the beautiful surroundings of St Peter’s Church, West Street, Drogheda for their annual Christmas Concert on Saturday December 2.
The son of well known photographer Ken Finegan and Aine, Robert began playing music with the Ardee Concert Band when he was eight years of age.
‘Everyone who joins the band starts on recorder,’ he explains. ‘After a year there, I moved on to lessons with senior band members on our chosen instrument. My choice was the alto saxophone. I have been playing alto for twelve years now and in that time I have also played the soprano, tenor and baritone saxophones, clarinet and most recently I started learning the flute.’
Robert attended Ardee Community School, and says that during his last few years at school, he intended going on to study physics.
‘ This all changed after going to the DIT Conservatory of Music open day when I was in 5th year. I was reluctant to go but I am very glad I did,’ he says. ‘I got to meet the staff and students there and even observe a lesson with the saxophone tutor Kevin Hanafin.’
‘ The standard of the music there amazed me and really made me think about studying music. All I wanted to do was to be as good as these amazing musicians. A while after this I was doing my grade 7 saxophone exam in the band room accompanied by Edward Holly. He asked me did I ever thought about a future in music. I told him about my experience in DIT and he said I should go to Kevin Hanafin, who is my current teacher, for a lesson. Since then, music is all I wanted to do.’
Robert’s family have been very supportive of him. ‘Dad played clarinet and saxophone in the Ardee Concert Band and everyone in my family has a big interest in music.’
‘I grew up listening to all sorts of music from 60’s to new music and funnily enough I didn’t listen to much classical music except a few ‘Best of ’ CD’s which dad had.’
‘My parents have always been behind any decisions I’ve made and they are very encouraging.
Growing up in Ardee, he says that he was very lucky to have a brilliant band facility.
‘For a fairly small town we have a band room which most bands in the country would be envious of. Add to this the band supplying instruments and very affordable membership fees, it is a brilliant thing to be a part of.’
Robert appreciates all the support which he receives from the other musicians in the band from when he first began playing.
He likes most genres of music, and listens to a lot of classical and saxophone music. ‘My inspiration comes from many different genres and instrumentalists, such as Charlie Parker the most famous jazz saxophone player. His determination to be the best and to keep going through hard times are hugely inspirational while on the other hand the clarinettist Martin Frost’s showmanship and absolute control of his instrument have had a huge impact on me. Other classical saxophonists who have inspired me include Arno Bornkamp and Ties Mellema, both of which I travelled to Amsterdam to take lessons with.’
While he admits that practicing can sometimes be difficult, he says he loves to do it. ‘I do between four and six hours a day and sometimes it can be frustrating but it is definitely worth the hard work!’
Robert has recently played in the Irish Freemasons Young Musician of the Year, in which he was runner up, and the following week he was named as the inaugural winner of the Flax Trust Music Award, which sees him performing in a concert in Belfast on December 19th.
‘ These were great experiences as I always love playing especially in beautiful venues as the Freemasons Grand Lodge and Holy Cross Church respectively. I couldn’t believe the feedback I got from the audience and the judges especially against such excellent players in both competitions.’
Before that he was awarded the St. Peter’s Male Voice Choir Scholarship in connection with DIT, funding his first year of lesson in the DIT Conservatory of Music, as well as the Macardle Classical Music Award.
He is now in the 3rd year of a four year BMus course in DIT Conservatory of Music and after this he hopes to do a Master’s degree abroad.
‘Next year I hope to travel to a few different teachers to make sure I select the right one as I think having the right teacher is of upmost importance for further development.
He says that his advice for anyone thinking about music as a future career ‘is that, while it may be a very hard and arduous journey it can be very rewarding. If music is your passion I would highly recommend it. If you are willing to work hard for it there are many opportunities in Ireland and abroad. I love what I do, the people I meet and the music I play and that, in my opinion, is the most important thing.’
I LOVE WHAT I DO, THE PEOPLE I MEET AND THE MUSIC I PLAY AND THAT, IN MY OPINION, IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.’