News 2010-2011
July 2011
For the second year, five members of the Schola, accompanied by Mr Burke, Mr Feeley and chant tutor Giovanna, attended the Irish Church Music Association Summer School at St Patrick's College, Maynooth. The five students were: Cáit Cregan, Clodagh Herron-Rice, Brionna Meagher, Lorna O'Dea and Alison Pentony. "A long day for a little girl" was how one of the students described the busy days, rising to sing at Morning Prayer at 8am each day, attending workshops in a variety of topics including chant, conducting, cantoring and music for parish, singing at daily Eucharist and finishing with Night Prayer and evening entertainment (often running very late into the night). Although the days were packed, the girls proved resilient, and led the singing of the psalm at Tuesday's mass, and the canticle on Friday's Morning Prayer - no mean feat after such an intensive week of constant singing and fun. The Schola proved their academic prowess too, with their team coming second in a nail-biting table quiz.
For the second year, five members of the Schola, accompanied by Mr Burke, Mr Feeley and chant tutor Giovanna, attended the Irish Church Music Association Summer School at St Patrick's College, Maynooth. The five students were: Cáit Cregan, Clodagh Herron-Rice, Brionna Meagher, Lorna O'Dea and Alison Pentony. "A long day for a little girl" was how one of the students described the busy days, rising to sing at Morning Prayer at 8am each day, attending workshops in a variety of topics including chant, conducting, cantoring and music for parish, singing at daily Eucharist and finishing with Night Prayer and evening entertainment (often running very late into the night). Although the days were packed, the girls proved resilient, and led the singing of the psalm at Tuesday's mass, and the canticle on Friday's Morning Prayer - no mean feat after such an intensive week of constant singing and fun. The Schola proved their academic prowess too, with their team coming second in a nail-biting table quiz.
May 2011
The month of May was again a busy month for the Music Department. All 1st and 2nd Years participated in the Navan Choral Festival, with consistently high marks awarded to each choir. The All-School Choir also participated, and were awarded distinction in their three competitions. The competition also gave them the opportunity to sing Lullaby by Billy Joel.
On May 16, musicians and choirs performed at the blessing of the Phoenix Theatre, presided over by Bishop Michael Smith. Those gathered were treated to three pieces by the All-School Choir, while the Schola led the music for the liturgy. Prior to the ceremony, Gillian Moloney played an air by Turlough O Carolan, and Fiona Guihen played a jig on the concertina, with Gemma Donnelly displaying her Irish dancing skills.
The All-School Choir had their final rehearsal of the year on May 25, recording a heartfelt rendition of Billy Joel's Lullaby. This was a fitting farewell song for our 6th Years: Bairbre Connolly, Katie Corrigan, Marina DiMambro, Fiona Guihen, Aminat Hussein, Bernadette Mulvaney and Lucy Walsh, all of whom have been members of the choir since it began in 2008. Mr Donovan presented certificates to all 48 members of the choir at the end of the rehearsal, with Fiona Guihen being awarded the All School Choir Award of Distinction for 2011. Congratulations to everyone!
The Schola provided music at both Confirmation ceremonies in St Mary's Church on May 28. Cantors for the occasion were Clodagh Herron-Rice and Caroline Moloney, who led the congregation in the singing of the Lourdes Gloria (using the text of the new translation of the Roman Missal), Rachel Barrett and Adele Crilly, who sang a setting of Psalm 63, My Soul Thirsts for You, and Alice Walsh, who led the Gospel Acclamation. During the ceremony the Schola also sang two Gregorian chants: Confirma Hoc, Deus and the Veni Creator Spiritus and Gillian Moloney played some traditional airs on harp. Afterwards the Schola were awarded their certificates of completion of another year of the programme.
The month of May was again a busy month for the Music Department. All 1st and 2nd Years participated in the Navan Choral Festival, with consistently high marks awarded to each choir. The All-School Choir also participated, and were awarded distinction in their three competitions. The competition also gave them the opportunity to sing Lullaby by Billy Joel.
On May 16, musicians and choirs performed at the blessing of the Phoenix Theatre, presided over by Bishop Michael Smith. Those gathered were treated to three pieces by the All-School Choir, while the Schola led the music for the liturgy. Prior to the ceremony, Gillian Moloney played an air by Turlough O Carolan, and Fiona Guihen played a jig on the concertina, with Gemma Donnelly displaying her Irish dancing skills.
The All-School Choir had their final rehearsal of the year on May 25, recording a heartfelt rendition of Billy Joel's Lullaby. This was a fitting farewell song for our 6th Years: Bairbre Connolly, Katie Corrigan, Marina DiMambro, Fiona Guihen, Aminat Hussein, Bernadette Mulvaney and Lucy Walsh, all of whom have been members of the choir since it began in 2008. Mr Donovan presented certificates to all 48 members of the choir at the end of the rehearsal, with Fiona Guihen being awarded the All School Choir Award of Distinction for 2011. Congratulations to everyone!
The Schola provided music at both Confirmation ceremonies in St Mary's Church on May 28. Cantors for the occasion were Clodagh Herron-Rice and Caroline Moloney, who led the congregation in the singing of the Lourdes Gloria (using the text of the new translation of the Roman Missal), Rachel Barrett and Adele Crilly, who sang a setting of Psalm 63, My Soul Thirsts for You, and Alice Walsh, who led the Gospel Acclamation. During the ceremony the Schola also sang two Gregorian chants: Confirma Hoc, Deus and the Veni Creator Spiritus and Gillian Moloney played some traditional airs on harp. Afterwards the Schola were awarded their certificates of completion of another year of the programme.
April 2011
The All-School Choir travelled to Cork on March 31 and April 1 to compete in the Cork International Choral Festival, hosted by the Defence Forces at Collins Barracks. The choir's programme for the competition included Cúnnla, by Michael McGlynn, and Anne Boyd's Song of Rain. The wind howled outside during the choir's performance of Song of Rain, which added a suitable percussive element to this atmospheric song. The choir were awarded Distinction and were complimented by adjudicator Orla Flanagan for their repertoire. After the competition, the choir had a special surprise when the Defence Forces gave a demonstration of their tanks, artillery and advanced technological equipment. Thanks to parents Liz Moloney and Linda Tully for accompanying Ms O Sullivan on this wonderful and thoroughly enjoyable trip. Following the competition, Ms O Sullivan was awarded the Chris Mahon Bursary to attend this year's Conducting Summer School in Limerick.
The All-School Choir travelled to Cork on March 31 and April 1 to compete in the Cork International Choral Festival, hosted by the Defence Forces at Collins Barracks. The choir's programme for the competition included Cúnnla, by Michael McGlynn, and Anne Boyd's Song of Rain. The wind howled outside during the choir's performance of Song of Rain, which added a suitable percussive element to this atmospheric song. The choir were awarded Distinction and were complimented by adjudicator Orla Flanagan for their repertoire. After the competition, the choir had a special surprise when the Defence Forces gave a demonstration of their tanks, artillery and advanced technological equipment. Thanks to parents Liz Moloney and Linda Tully for accompanying Ms O Sullivan on this wonderful and thoroughly enjoyable trip. Following the competition, Ms O Sullivan was awarded the Chris Mahon Bursary to attend this year's Conducting Summer School in Limerick.
March 2011
The second evening of music took place in the Phoenix Theatre on Tuesday 15 March, this time featuring students from Senior Cycle. Once again, there was a full house. The night commenced with 5th Years singing Music of the Night from Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Phantom of the Opera and later in the night they performed Mozart's Ave Verum and the sprightly With a Voice of Singing. Sixth Years sang Libera Me from the Requiem by French composer Gabriel Fauré. Fifth Year Music classes performed some light jazz with Someone to Watch Over Me and a presentation of similarities between Bach and Katy Perry! Transition Years sang My Lady Greensleeves. Choral numbers were interspersed with instrumental music from Richelle Perez, Nicole Clevenger and Niamh Conlon (piano), Lorraine Crowley (violin), Karen Blaney (flute), Caroline Moloney (organ) and Clodagh Herron-Rice (guitar). There was a strong emphasis on Irish traditional music, given that St Patrick's Day was to fall two days after, with Fiona Guihen and Doireann NicMhatúna on concertina and Bernadette Mulvany on fiddle. The All School Choir once again performed admirably, singing a strongly rhythmic Cúnnla by Irish composer Michael McGlynn, a haunting and mysterious Song of Rain, expressing the desire for rain in the parched Australian desert, and the Litanies by Poulenc. The night closed with all students from Senior Cycle lifting everyone's spirits with an energetic Rhythm of Life.
The second evening of music took place in the Phoenix Theatre on Tuesday 15 March, this time featuring students from Senior Cycle. Once again, there was a full house. The night commenced with 5th Years singing Music of the Night from Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Phantom of the Opera and later in the night they performed Mozart's Ave Verum and the sprightly With a Voice of Singing. Sixth Years sang Libera Me from the Requiem by French composer Gabriel Fauré. Fifth Year Music classes performed some light jazz with Someone to Watch Over Me and a presentation of similarities between Bach and Katy Perry! Transition Years sang My Lady Greensleeves. Choral numbers were interspersed with instrumental music from Richelle Perez, Nicole Clevenger and Niamh Conlon (piano), Lorraine Crowley (violin), Karen Blaney (flute), Caroline Moloney (organ) and Clodagh Herron-Rice (guitar). There was a strong emphasis on Irish traditional music, given that St Patrick's Day was to fall two days after, with Fiona Guihen and Doireann NicMhatúna on concertina and Bernadette Mulvany on fiddle. The All School Choir once again performed admirably, singing a strongly rhythmic Cúnnla by Irish composer Michael McGlynn, a haunting and mysterious Song of Rain, expressing the desire for rain in the parched Australian desert, and the Litanies by Poulenc. The night closed with all students from Senior Cycle lifting everyone's spirits with an energetic Rhythm of Life.
March 2011
The first concert to be held in the newly-rebuilt Phoenix Theatre took place on Monday 14 March before a capacity audience. This concert was the first in two nights of music, and featured choirs and instrumentalists from Junior Cycle. The concert opened with combined choirs from 2nd Year singing Hallelujah Chorus, from Handel's Messiah, and continued throughout with 1st Years singing Joyful, Joyful; Scales and Arpeggios; All the Pretty Little Horses; and Singing in the Rain. The 2nd Year choirs sang a quodlibet of the American folk-song Simple Gifts with Pachebel's famous Canon, and the beautiful For the Beauty of the Earth by John Rutter. 3rd Years gave a crisp rendition of Sing a Song of Sixpence, and Somewhere Out There. Instrumentalists performing on the night were Ciara Casserly (accordian); Michelle Caffrey, Evelyn McHugh (piano); Eithne NicMhatúna (uilleann pipes); and Tara Scanlon and Aimee Mallon performed their own original compositions. A highlight of the night was the All School Choir, who sang, amongst other pieces, the stunning Litanies a la Vierge Noire, by 20th-century French composer Francis Poulenc. The concert closed with all 2nd and 3rd Years combining to form a single large choir to sing I am But a Small Voice, the words of which are eminently suitable to our vision of musical and choral education: "Come young citizens of the world ... we have one hope, we have one dream, and with one voice we sing!"
The first concert to be held in the newly-rebuilt Phoenix Theatre took place on Monday 14 March before a capacity audience. This concert was the first in two nights of music, and featured choirs and instrumentalists from Junior Cycle. The concert opened with combined choirs from 2nd Year singing Hallelujah Chorus, from Handel's Messiah, and continued throughout with 1st Years singing Joyful, Joyful; Scales and Arpeggios; All the Pretty Little Horses; and Singing in the Rain. The 2nd Year choirs sang a quodlibet of the American folk-song Simple Gifts with Pachebel's famous Canon, and the beautiful For the Beauty of the Earth by John Rutter. 3rd Years gave a crisp rendition of Sing a Song of Sixpence, and Somewhere Out There. Instrumentalists performing on the night were Ciara Casserly (accordian); Michelle Caffrey, Evelyn McHugh (piano); Eithne NicMhatúna (uilleann pipes); and Tara Scanlon and Aimee Mallon performed their own original compositions. A highlight of the night was the All School Choir, who sang, amongst other pieces, the stunning Litanies a la Vierge Noire, by 20th-century French composer Francis Poulenc. The concert closed with all 2nd and 3rd Years combining to form a single large choir to sing I am But a Small Voice, the words of which are eminently suitable to our vision of musical and choral education: "Come young citizens of the world ... we have one hope, we have one dream, and with one voice we sing!"
March 2011
On March 1, the Schola paid a visit to the Pontifical University at Maynooth. They were welcomed by staff member Giovanna Feeley, who will begin a chant module with the Schola later this month. Barry White, seminarian for the Diocese of Meath, gave a short tour of the college, which was followed by midday Eucharist in St Mary's Oratory. The Schola led the singing at this, opening with Here in Christ we Gather, a new piece specially written for the occasion. Alison Pentony led the Kyrie, Lorna O'Dea and Cait Cregan were psalmists for Lord, You Have the Words by David Haas, and Clodagh Herron-Rice sang the Gospel Acclamation. The offertory organ piece was played by Caroline Moloney, and Ruth Sheridan was flautist. After Mass, the Schola had lunch in Pugin Hall, and were hosted by the National Centre for Liturgy at a small reception. The day finished with a visit to the Gunn Chapel where the students had the opportunity to play on the majestic chapel organ.
On March 1, the Schola paid a visit to the Pontifical University at Maynooth. They were welcomed by staff member Giovanna Feeley, who will begin a chant module with the Schola later this month. Barry White, seminarian for the Diocese of Meath, gave a short tour of the college, which was followed by midday Eucharist in St Mary's Oratory. The Schola led the singing at this, opening with Here in Christ we Gather, a new piece specially written for the occasion. Alison Pentony led the Kyrie, Lorna O'Dea and Cait Cregan were psalmists for Lord, You Have the Words by David Haas, and Clodagh Herron-Rice sang the Gospel Acclamation. The offertory organ piece was played by Caroline Moloney, and Ruth Sheridan was flautist. After Mass, the Schola had lunch in Pugin Hall, and were hosted by the National Centre for Liturgy at a small reception. The day finished with a visit to the Gunn Chapel where the students had the opportunity to play on the majestic chapel organ.
December 2010
The All-School Choir teamed up with Navan Silver Band for a concert of Christmas favourites on December 10 in the Solstice Arts Centre. They sang a delightful four-part arrangement of Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Brahms' Lullaby, and a number of Christmas carols, including the ever-popular Night of Silence, with new, Scripture-based words by Ms O' Sullivan and the setting of In the Bleak Mid-Winter by Holst. The choir was accompanied by Mr Burke and conducted by Ms O' Sullivan. This light-hearted, informal concert was an opportunity for the choir to sport their new hoodies.
The All-School Choir teamed up with Navan Silver Band for a concert of Christmas favourites on December 10 in the Solstice Arts Centre. They sang a delightful four-part arrangement of Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Brahms' Lullaby, and a number of Christmas carols, including the ever-popular Night of Silence, with new, Scripture-based words by Ms O' Sullivan and the setting of In the Bleak Mid-Winter by Holst. The choir was accompanied by Mr Burke and conducted by Ms O' Sullivan. This light-hearted, informal concert was an opportunity for the choir to sport their new hoodies.
November 2010
The Schola braved the snow and ice to sing at mass in St Mary's Church, Navan for the 1st Sunday of Advent. Their repertoire for the service was a selection of Advent pieces, traditional and modern, from the 13th-century O Come Emmanuel to the hauntingly beautiful My Soul in Stillness Waits by American composer Marty Haugen. The choir also sang two pieces of music learnt during the ICMA Summer School in Maynooth in July: Christopher Walker's Alleluia Beati and The Lord is my Light. Alison Pentony sang the Kyrie from Lourdes, Alice Walsh sang the psalm and Clodagh Herron-Rice sang the Gospel Acclamation. Caroline Moloney played the Offertory organ piece, a prelude by Jean Langlais.
The Schola braved the snow and ice to sing at mass in St Mary's Church, Navan for the 1st Sunday of Advent. Their repertoire for the service was a selection of Advent pieces, traditional and modern, from the 13th-century O Come Emmanuel to the hauntingly beautiful My Soul in Stillness Waits by American composer Marty Haugen. The choir also sang two pieces of music learnt during the ICMA Summer School in Maynooth in July: Christopher Walker's Alleluia Beati and The Lord is my Light. Alison Pentony sang the Kyrie from Lourdes, Alice Walsh sang the psalm and Clodagh Herron-Rice sang the Gospel Acclamation. Caroline Moloney played the Offertory organ piece, a prelude by Jean Langlais.
November 2010
On Saturday 20 November, the Transition Years performed a selection of seasonal carols and pieces in Navan Shopping Centre. They heralded the arrival of Santa Claus to the centre, to the delight of onlookers young and old.
On Saturday 20 November, the Transition Years performed a selection of seasonal carols and pieces in Navan Shopping Centre. They heralded the arrival of Santa Claus to the centre, to the delight of onlookers young and old.
October 2010
The Open Night for 6th class students was held in St Joseph's Secondary School on October 6. The Music Department ran a series of mini-recitals, with students performing on saxophone, piano, organ and guitar. The All-School choir sang a number of canons and Don't Stop Believing. The music teachers gave an outline of the programmes offered within the department. A huge level of interest and enthusiasm was shown by all our guests on the night.
The Open Night for 6th class students was held in St Joseph's Secondary School on October 6. The Music Department ran a series of mini-recitals, with students performing on saxophone, piano, organ and guitar. The All-School choir sang a number of canons and Don't Stop Believing. The music teachers gave an outline of the programmes offered within the department. A huge level of interest and enthusiasm was shown by all our guests on the night.
September 2010
St Joseph's Secondary School celebrated Mercy Day on September 24 with a wonderful mass in St Mary's Church. The theme of the liturgy was "Building Hope", and music, art and readings all reflected this theme. All students sang as a combined choir, and the Liturgical Music schola provided the cantors and instrumentalists for the mass. Parents, Sisters of Mercy and staff members were in attendance, and the celebrant was Fr Declan Hurley, school chaplain.
St Joseph's Secondary School celebrated Mercy Day on September 24 with a wonderful mass in St Mary's Church. The theme of the liturgy was "Building Hope", and music, art and readings all reflected this theme. All students sang as a combined choir, and the Liturgical Music schola provided the cantors and instrumentalists for the mass. Parents, Sisters of Mercy and staff members were in attendance, and the celebrant was Fr Declan Hurley, school chaplain.