The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Music - the food of college life
OUTSTANDING DISPLAY FROM COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS
THE Music Club at Castleisland Community College produced another outstanding performance - this time at the 'First Year Mass' just prior to the Christmas break - according to college deputy principal, Colm Kirwan.
“The choir of 25 students, under the direction of teacher, Marion O'Sullivan were in superb form as they sang many of the traditional festive songs some of them in two-part harmony. Such a performance required intensive practice which they willingly did and they are fortunate to have a teacher of Ms. O'Sullivan's talent and experience to guide them. Teacher, Mairead Corridon accompanied the choir on the concertina as they sang. The musicians also went centre stage: Amy Reidy on fiddle; Saoirse Teahan, accordion and Micheal O'Shea on the Uilleann pipes played a number of tunes with Ms. Corridon.
One of the highlights of the evening was Micheal's haunting and evocative rendition of An Chulainn one of the most memorable of slow airs. The musicians and singers received several rounds of sustained applause from a thronged assembly hall.
This year's mass was celebrated by Fr. Patsy Lynch, Fahaduff and a past pupil of the school. The First Year students were joined by the Transition Class who are actively involved in a new mentoring initiative with them and their participation greatly added to the occasion.
Principal, Anne O'Sullivan thanked all those involved, particularly teacher, Justin Bennett who organised the mass and Ms. Barrett of the music club and their teachers and most especially the students and their parents for their participation. The evening concluded with refreshments in the school canteen with the mince pies and cream served by Mary O'Sullivan much in demand.
“It's great to see music occupying such an important element in the life of the community college.
The choir has already performed in public - on Main Street one recent Saturday afternoon - and will perform in Siamsa Tire in February. One of the musicians, Micheal O'Shea has just produced his own CD as part of the Transition Year Enterprise programme. Michael, is a former All-Ireland winner at Fleadh na hEireann with the mouth organ and began to play the Uilleann pipes for the first time less than two years ago. He reached the final of the All Ireland Fleadh this year which is a truly remarkable achievement. Michael's CD features tunes on the Tin Whistle, Mouth Organ, Low Whistle, Guitar as well as the pipes. There is the beautiful, Jimmy McCarthy penned, song 'Bright Blue Rose' included on the CD as well.