Lee Will Rock You: Chris Ahern looks back

In a city as steeped in musical history as Cork, it takes something special to leave an indelible mark on the landscape, but since 1989, that’s exactly what Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa has achieved.

An array of superstar artists have been through the doors of CSN, as well as a multitude of engineers, technicians and others working within the music business. It’s all occurred under the stewardship of a team led by Chris Ahern, who is understandably not even going to try and single out one highlight from his 25 years overseeing the performing arts department.
“There are way too many to mention,” he smiles. “The obvious ones are graduates getting signed to major labels, getting platinum discs, playing big venues, performing on the Late Late Show, gaining employment as respected sound engineers with big bands and as resident engineers in big venues, and so on. However, there is a great satisfaction from seeing someone with potential come in to us and seeing them graduate with the ability to function effectively as professionals, even without being well known.”
Indeed, Chris was once one of those young professionals himself, diving headlong into the industry as a 23-year-old. It was as a result of the lessons learned during the five years of touring, recording, releasing and promoting as part of a band that he recognised the value a new course could bring.
“There were certain mistakes that were easy for musicians to make if they didn’t understand the workings of the industry or have their wits about them,” he reasons. “I thought it might be a good idea to have a ‘one-stop-shop’, where musicians could come for a year to learn about every detail of the industry – legal, technical and musical.”
Current student Katie Cosgrove is in little doubt that the scope of the education offered is of huge benefit to those looking to make a career in music.
“We are taught as many skills as possible,” she says, “from event management and artist management to sound engineering, musicianship and songwriting. Learning so many skills means we get to figure out our strengths and weaknesses along the way; knowing what you are best at and working towards that while still having lots of other skills is invaluable.”
In the time since CSN’s musical offering was established, it has distinguished itself as one of the most prestigious and decorated in Ireland. From the facilities at their Tramore Road campus – including a state-of-the-art recording studio and rehearsal spaces – to the qualifications offered to students, the course has evolved to reflect the changes in the industry.
“You have no choice but to adapt,” Chris says. “I can honestly say that the course has not been the same in any two consecutive years, so dramatic has been the rate of change in the business and in educational provision.”
But there’s one thing that never changes.
“The quality of musicianship is still the most important element – everything else revolves around that.”
Perhaps that’s why the ever-growing list of alumni includes such successes as Mick Flannery and Sinead Lohan, members of O Emperor and Walking On Cars, as well as members of the Riverdance orchestra and a veritable army of engineers, producers and technicians working both in Ireland and abroad. Now, the call is going out for those who’ve played a part in building CSN’s formidable reputation to gather on Leeside to mark the 25th anniversary of music in the college.
An event at Jacobs On The Mall on March 5 will see staff, students and friends from the past come together to raise a toast to the success stories to come from the college. And while there’s plenty to look back on, Chris is quick to note that there’s a lot more to come.
“The course is expanding. We are developing new rehearsal rooms, for example, trying out new ways of delivering. The younger members of staff are beginning to drive it more. The fact that they are graduates of the course means that they will carry forward our ethos – they have the energy and enthusiasm to develop what has already been achieved whilst maintaining the essential core values.”
Congrats to Chris and all at CSN on this milestone – here’s to another wonderful 25 years!