DUHALLOW VOICES REACH OUT ONLINE AND LIFT OUR SPIRITS
POPULAR LOCAL SINGERS HAVE TAKEN TO PERFORMING ONLINE, AND THE RESULTS HAVE DRAWN A VERY BROAD APPRECIATION
RENOWNED American musician Louis Armstrong is quoted as saying: “The music ain’t worth nothing if you can’t lay it on the public - the main thing is to live for that audience ’ cause that’s what you’re there for - to please the people”.
Singers and Musicians everywhere will tell you that it’s almost a compulsion to perform and therefore the current lockdown has been particularly hard on everyone who loves the stage.
However, modern technology has once again streamed to the rescue and social media platforms across the world are awash with performers either hosting live YouTube events or Facebook Watch Parties.
We are fortunate in North Cork to have a wealth of talent, and local performers have been prolific over the past four weeks. While the audience is not physically there, nevertheless performers have the capacity to reach an unlimited number of people through these online platforms. The Corkman caught up with three leading ladies of song from the area and asked them how they are sharing their music in a world that has changed beyond recognition in the past few weeks.
Freemount Singer Elle Marie O’Dwyer has been teaching traditional singing for over 10 years. “I’ve learned over the years that children will rise to the occasion if you set them a challenge and give them something to work towards. When the news came that our classes had to be cancelled I wanted to find something for my students to work towards and to keep them motivated and enthusiastic about their singing,” Elle Marie told The Corkman.
She asked the children to choose their favourite traditional or folk song and make a recording of themselves performing the song. She found that parents were very supportive and within a couple of days the project was off the ground.
“The children have really enjoyed the process and have put a great deal of work and effort into their recordings. In turn, this has entertained so many people on Facebook. I have received messages from all over the world detailing the enjoyment people have gotten from seeing the next generation of singers carry on our tradition in such a lovely way.
“The whole project has been a welcome distraction for us all and continues to be a very popular feature on my social media,” Elle Marie said.
In relation to her own musical journey, she said that this year she set out to broaden her own repertoire of songs and also and get out as much music as possible to the public. “I collaborated with different musicians and singers and recorded videos of songs for social media. The response has been fantastic and I am really enjoying the experience” she said. “Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 restrictions, I can no longer meet other musicians at the moment, but I am continuing to record songs myself.
“I am looking forward to the time when I will be able to meet with other performers once again to continue with my plans for my music” Elle Marie added.
Annmarie O’Riordan has always loved singing. Since her first recording hit the airwaves, the Rathcoole musician has built up a strong following of fans throughout Ireland and abroad.
She is also a teacher at Convent of Mercy National School, Kanturk, and is currently completing a Masters in Theology and Leadership at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick.
“I post my songs on Facebook and Instagram,” Annmarie explained. “There is a lot of stuff being uploaded at the moment, I feel the videos are uplifting and we need some happiness at this time of uncertainty.”
Music fans can look forward to new material from Anne Marie who is currently in the studio working on a new album.
Music has been part of Muireann Vaughan’s life as far back as she can remember. The Cullen native who is a past pupil of Scoil Mhuire, Kanturk, and is currently studying Pharmacy at UCC has won almost every accolade in the world of traditional singing. Muireann regularly competes in Scór competitions but due to the lockdown all competitions have been postponed.
“In response to the restrictions, the National Scór Committee decided to run a ‘Virtual Scór’, allowing everyone to share their talents while entertaining others from the safety of their own homes,” Muireann explained.
The Corkman spoke to her on Easter Sunday after she had just performed and posted the well loved hymn ‘An Irish Blessing’. “I dedicated it to all who have passed away during this difficult time,” Muireann said.
She also spoke about performing at funeral Masses, saying “It’s very different to the usual celebration of life that we’re used to. Many funerals have been held without loved ones, especially family members abroad who could not travel home, and most have been held without the gift of music and song”. Muireann described the reaction to her online music as “heart warming”.
“This Hymn [‘An Irish Blessing’] in particular seems to have lyrics that are far reaching and it offers the hope that we all need at the moment. I am so looking forward to singing out and about again, but for now it’s my pleasure to entertain people through the medium of the internet,” Muireann said.
Meadhbh Walsh from Meelin has loved singing since she was a child. She created her Facebook page last year as a hobby and also set up a YouTube Channel so that people who don’t use Facebook can access her music.
Like other performers, Meadhbh has been posting regularly since the lockdown came into force and has received positive reaction from all over the world. She was delighted to get the opportunity on Easter Sunday to take part in the live Facebook Show hosted by Peadar Brown’s in Dublin in aid of the front line workers.
“Playing along with artists such as Christy Dignam and the Wolfe Tones was fantastic, and it’s of big significance to me,” Meadhbh said.
She said that she had received messages from several people with high risk medical conditions who outlined how the music and songs have kept them going during such a difficult time. “These messages encourage me to keep posting, and it gives me so much happiness to know I’m raising spirits,” Meadhbh said.