Music
06 Apr 18

Young Irish Musicians for ESB Feis Ceoil Gala Concert at NCH

A wonderful, youthful energy will be found backstage at the National Concert Hall on Wednesday, 11 April. Choirs will arrive by the busload, and orchestras will be tuning up their instruments. Solo performers will be looking for a quiet space to practice, while an organist will even bravely clamber into the seat of the beautiful organ that sits above the stage for his afternoon rehearsal.

These exceptional young musicians were prize-winners at the 2018 ESB Feis Ceoil competitions, held at the RDS in March over 2 weeks. Many will go onto professional music careers, but on this night, when the Feis honors their talent and musical commitment in front of friends, teachers, families and music lovers it is always very special.

The music played on the evening will range from a solo piano performance of Chopin, a string quartet playing Brahms, an operatic Rossini aria, and a spectacular orchestral James Bond medley.

Those performing at the Gala Concert include:

· Sandford Park School Orchestra, winners of Post-Primary Schools Orchestra competition.

· Dida Condria, piano, winner of Dorothy Stokes Cup - Sonata, age 14 to 17

· Christopher Moriarty, clarinet, winner of the McCullough Cup

· Mount Sackville Secondary School Senior Choir, winner of the Folen's Publishers Award

· Dylan Rooney, baritone, winner of the John McCormack Cup

· Jane Brazil, piano, winner of the Morris Grant Bursary

· Alan Fagan, organ, winner of the Fitzgerald Trophy for advanced organ playing

· St Brigid's National School Choir Castleknock, ESB Choir of the Year

· Jack Cullen, tuba, winner of the Senior Brass Recital

· Doolan Quartet, string quartet, winners of the Chamber Music Cup

· Killian White, cello, winner of the Aileen Gore Cup

· Sinead O'Kelly, mezzo-soprano, winner of the Gervase Elwes Memorial Cup

The Gala Concert will be hosted by Laura Gilsenan, CEO of Feis Ceoil Association.

Pat O’Doherty, Chief Executive of ESB said, “ESB has always appreciated the important role the arts play in every aspect of Irish life, especially in the next generation and we are very proud of our long standing relationshipwith Feis Ceoil. The festival promotes excellence in learning and performance and showcases the very best in Irish musical talent.”

Over half a million musicians have competed in Ireland’s premier classical music competition since it began in 1896, with past competitors including James Joyce and Count John McCormack and more recently, John O’Conor, Finghin Collins, Regina Nathan, Cara O’Sullivan and Céline Byrne.
For further information check out
Facebook:www.facebook.com/feisceoil
Twitter @esbfeisceoil @ESBGroup
Instagram@thefeisceoil
Gala Concert Ticket Prices: €15, €12.50 conc., or €40 family (2 adults + 2 children)
Gala Concert Bookings: www.nch.ie