www.communityvoice.ie - Art news from Dublin 15

A musical extravaganza

Those fortunate people who were present when Castleknock Community College last took over Draíocht will doubtless attest to the fact that there is no show quite like a CCC show. Destined for big things?

That was back in April 2005 when the college’s tenth anniversary concert was hailed as a great triumph and “the nearest you can get to a professional performance without actually paying wages.”

“We received such a positive response from all of those who attended the anniversary concert, that it took very little discussion to decide that we wanted to repeat the experience,” said Principal Tom O’Brien. “The school has prepared very well and I have no doubt that we can repeat the highs that we reached in 2005.”

The students who will be performing on the two nights will be representative of the whole school, ranging in age from twelve to eighteen years. Equally diverse will be the programme of music that they intend to deliver, with an exciting blend of popular song, light classical musical and traditional music, giving the students an opportunity to perform and display their talents. Winners of the recent talent show "Starsearch"- John Keating and Kevin Cumiskey will also perform.

The students limbered up for this event by participating in the recent Co Dublin V.E.C. Festival of Music which takes place annually in the National Concert Hall. They performed as part of a massed choir from all schools and colleges in Co Dublin V.E.C. as well as solo and group performances.

Although the students will be the ones strutting their stuff on stage, naturally a lot of work will have gone on behind the scenes by both the staff and the parents.

“Basically the teachers have been the musical directors for these performances,” explained Mr. O’Brien. “In particular, our deputy principal Carmel O’Neill has been the prime mover and shaker and has coordinated the whole production admirably.

“I would also like to say that the forthcoming performances would not have been possible without the parents’ association. We have had a really good relationship with the parents and it is through projects like this that it is best demonstrated.”

As a special treat, the school has enticed legendary uilleann piper Neillidh Mulligan to perform on both nights. Born in Dublin into a family steeped in the Irish music of Co. Leitrim, Neil (aka Néillidh) is one of Ireland’s most distinguished uilleann pipers. He is the fourth generation to carry on this tradition and was first taught by his father Tom Mulligan, the renowned fiddle-player and piper. This tuition was followed by more formal lessons from the great Leo Rowsome in the Dublin Municipal School of Music and The Pipers Club. Neillidh is highly acclaimed in traditional circles and plays the pipes in the style of Liam O’Flynn. He has worked as a guest mentor in the college and was delighted to accept the college’s invitation to perform.

After expenses have been cleared, any money raised will be donated to the Niall Mellon Housing Project in South Africa. Ian Plunkett, a college student, whose father has worked for the project, suggested the cause and the school was delighted to agree.

“A Musical Evening with Castleknock Community College” plays Draíocht’s main auditorium on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th April at 8pm.

Tickets are €20 / €10.

Community Voice, Media House, Church Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
Phone +353 1 822 1432 - Fax +353 1 640 4444
info@communityvoice.ie