News 2011-2012
July 2012
Once again St Joseph's Secondary School was well-represented at the Irish Church Music Association Summer School, with ten members of the Schola travelling to Maynooth and participating in a wide range of events throughout the week. This residential course in sacred music has attracted an increasing number of young people each year, and it was refreshing to see over two hundred people, from all walks of life, from all ages and parts of the country come together to sing and learn new music for use in liturgy. The course was led by Marty Haugen, one of the most widely-published composers of church music in the United States, whose music has found a home in communities worldwide. His music is familiar to St Joseph's Secondary School, often featuring in school liturgies.
Our ten students were Rachel Barrett, Cait Cregan, Adele Crilly, Eimer Finn, Clodagh Herron-Rice, Brionna Meagher, Caroline Moloney, Gillian Moloney, Lorna O'Dea and Katie White and were accompanied by teachers Mr Burke, Mr Feeley and Ms Mhac an tSaoir. The packed programme of events included Morning Prayer, Eucharist and Evening Prayer each day, with the girls singing solo several times, and acting as the schola for the verses of We Love this Place, the opening hymn for Thursday's Festive Eucharist. Conducting and cantor workshops were the most popular with the girls, although they also attended tutorials in Irish language music and Special Choir. The busy days were broken up with a variety of social events: walks in the beautiful surroundings of St Patrick's College, a table quiz on Wednesday evening (where St Joseph's teams were respectably placed 2nd, 4th and 6th), and on Thursday evening the participants joined forces with instrumentalists to sing Vivaldi's Gloria from scratch. A thoroughly enjoyable week was had by all, tinged with a little sadness as the Schola bid farewell to Clodagh and Caroline, founding Schola members, who now move on to third level education.
Once again St Joseph's Secondary School was well-represented at the Irish Church Music Association Summer School, with ten members of the Schola travelling to Maynooth and participating in a wide range of events throughout the week. This residential course in sacred music has attracted an increasing number of young people each year, and it was refreshing to see over two hundred people, from all walks of life, from all ages and parts of the country come together to sing and learn new music for use in liturgy. The course was led by Marty Haugen, one of the most widely-published composers of church music in the United States, whose music has found a home in communities worldwide. His music is familiar to St Joseph's Secondary School, often featuring in school liturgies.
Our ten students were Rachel Barrett, Cait Cregan, Adele Crilly, Eimer Finn, Clodagh Herron-Rice, Brionna Meagher, Caroline Moloney, Gillian Moloney, Lorna O'Dea and Katie White and were accompanied by teachers Mr Burke, Mr Feeley and Ms Mhac an tSaoir. The packed programme of events included Morning Prayer, Eucharist and Evening Prayer each day, with the girls singing solo several times, and acting as the schola for the verses of We Love this Place, the opening hymn for Thursday's Festive Eucharist. Conducting and cantor workshops were the most popular with the girls, although they also attended tutorials in Irish language music and Special Choir. The busy days were broken up with a variety of social events: walks in the beautiful surroundings of St Patrick's College, a table quiz on Wednesday evening (where St Joseph's teams were respectably placed 2nd, 4th and 6th), and on Thursday evening the participants joined forces with instrumentalists to sing Vivaldi's Gloria from scratch. A thoroughly enjoyable week was had by all, tinged with a little sadness as the Schola bid farewell to Clodagh and Caroline, founding Schola members, who now move on to third level education.
May 2012
The Schola provided the music for the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday May 12 in St Mary's Church, Navan. Bishop Smith was the principal concelebrant, confirming in the Catholic faith 325 students from all the primary schools in the parish. The selection of music was from a variety of genres, from Here in Christ We Gather as the Entrance Hymn, to the Eucharistic Congress hymn Though We Are Many, to the Ave Verum motet by Elgar. Gregorian chant added a touch of solemnity, with the girls singing Veni Creator as the conferring began, Confirma Hoc, Deus, (the chant specified for when the Bishop washes his hands after the sacrament) and the Agnus Dei XVIII. The abundance of music needed gave each member of this year's Schola the opportunity to act as cantor; additional instrumental pieces were played by Gillian Moloney (harp) and Ruth Sheridan (flute) along with a little organ-piano duel by Mr Burke and Mr Feeley. The girls were delighted to be treated by the parish to lunch in Eddie Rockets between the two ceremonies on this long, but rewarding and prayerful day.
The Schola provided the music for the Sacrament of Confirmation on Saturday May 12 in St Mary's Church, Navan. Bishop Smith was the principal concelebrant, confirming in the Catholic faith 325 students from all the primary schools in the parish. The selection of music was from a variety of genres, from Here in Christ We Gather as the Entrance Hymn, to the Eucharistic Congress hymn Though We Are Many, to the Ave Verum motet by Elgar. Gregorian chant added a touch of solemnity, with the girls singing Veni Creator as the conferring began, Confirma Hoc, Deus, (the chant specified for when the Bishop washes his hands after the sacrament) and the Agnus Dei XVIII. The abundance of music needed gave each member of this year's Schola the opportunity to act as cantor; additional instrumental pieces were played by Gillian Moloney (harp) and Ruth Sheridan (flute) along with a little organ-piano duel by Mr Burke and Mr Feeley. The girls were delighted to be treated by the parish to lunch in Eddie Rockets between the two ceremonies on this long, but rewarding and prayerful day.
May 2012
The All School Choir concluded a remarkable year at Navan Choral Festival on May 11 winning three prizes. School choirs from all over Ireland descended on Simonstown GAA Club for the festival’s 33rd year. Amid stiff competition, St Joseph’s were always contenders for the top prizes in all of their competitions. In the Foreign Language Competition, the choir sang the difficult Santa Maria Succurre Miseris by contemporary Spanish composer Alcaraz, winning 2nd Prize. Over 900 young choristers competed in the Post-Primary Schools/Youth Choir Competition; here, the All School Choir picked up 3rd Prize for The Snow by Elgar and Stephen Leek’s Kungala. Finally, the day was marked with a victorious 1st Prize for Mercy in the Irish language competition singing Caife Gaelach by Br Ben Hanlon, resulting in a rewarding day of bronze, silver and gold trophies. |
March 2012
Over one thousand years of music was condensed into this year's hugely-successful choral concert Time Travel: A Journey through Music History, organised by the Music Department that took place on March 15 in the Phoenix Theatre. The concept was simple: to bring the audience on a journey through music history through audio-visual presentations and choral music, from early medieval times to music written by composers living today. Our journey started in the Early Medieval Period, illustrated by the Schola, who sang two pieces: Veni Creator Spiritus by the eighth-century monk Rabanus Maurus, with drones and organum added to show the development of very simple harmony in this period, and the rousing three-part pilgrimage song Alle, Psallite cum Luya, which comes from the thirteenth-century Montpellier Codex. The concert moved through the Renaissance Period, where the All-School Choir sang the exuberant madrigal How Merrily We Live, by Michael Este. Baroque Music was covered by the talented 2nd Year choir singing two pieces in Baroque style: Sing a Song of Sixpence, a pastiche in the style of Handel by J. Michael Diack and the medley Go for Baroque, based on a number of well-known pieces from this period.
Over one thousand years of music was condensed into this year's hugely-successful choral concert Time Travel: A Journey through Music History, organised by the Music Department that took place on March 15 in the Phoenix Theatre. The concept was simple: to bring the audience on a journey through music history through audio-visual presentations and choral music, from early medieval times to music written by composers living today. Our journey started in the Early Medieval Period, illustrated by the Schola, who sang two pieces: Veni Creator Spiritus by the eighth-century monk Rabanus Maurus, with drones and organum added to show the development of very simple harmony in this period, and the rousing three-part pilgrimage song Alle, Psallite cum Luya, which comes from the thirteenth-century Montpellier Codex. The concert moved through the Renaissance Period, where the All-School Choir sang the exuberant madrigal How Merrily We Live, by Michael Este. Baroque Music was covered by the talented 2nd Year choir singing two pieces in Baroque style: Sing a Song of Sixpence, a pastiche in the style of Handel by J. Michael Diack and the medley Go for Baroque, based on a number of well-known pieces from this period.
The 5th Years had spent the year since September learning the music of Mozart to represent the Classical Period, and in this concert sang four pieces, two from his Salzburg period (1779/1780), and two from the last year of his life (1791). The Kyrie from his Missa Brevis in B flat alternated solo sections, sung by Mr Feeley and Ms O Sullivan, with choral interjections, a typical example of the youthful, lyrical music that Mozart wrote during his time employed by the Archbishop of Salzburg. This was followed by the stunning Laudate Dominum, a setting of Psalm 116 sung by soprano Ms O' Sullivan, and ended with the choir singing the Gloria Patri in hushed, controlled tones. This was followed by the much-loved Ave Verum, a choral hymn for Corpus Christi, followed by the Lacrymosa from the Requiem, Mozart's final composition. What made this particular performance unique was the arrangement for ladies' choir of a recent restoration of the Lacrymosa, as Mozart died with only eight bars completed.
The Romantic Era (1800-1900) was represented by a dramatic and powerful delivery of Elgar's The Snow by the All-School Choir. This piece, which featured violinists Naomi Dunleavy and Ailbhe NicOireachtaigh, was a setting of a text by Elgar's wife, Alice, which depicts the soul as being as pure and white as snow. Naomi captured the Modern period - the twentieth century - with a performance of Martinu's Rhythmical Study No. 6, featuring jagged melodies and driving, syncopated rhythms so typical of the style. The concert closed with the All-School Choir singing two pieces by living composers. Kungala, by Stephen Leek ("Kungala" is an Aboriginal term for "a place to sing and shout", where there is plenty of shouting, singing and stamping of feet in the music), and coming full circle back to chant, Santa Maria, Succure Miseris by Alcarez, a close-harmony discordant piece based on Spanish liturgical chant.
Conducting the choirs on the night were Ms McCabe, Ms O Sullivan and Mr Feeley, with Mr Burke accompanying throughout.
The Romantic Era (1800-1900) was represented by a dramatic and powerful delivery of Elgar's The Snow by the All-School Choir. This piece, which featured violinists Naomi Dunleavy and Ailbhe NicOireachtaigh, was a setting of a text by Elgar's wife, Alice, which depicts the soul as being as pure and white as snow. Naomi captured the Modern period - the twentieth century - with a performance of Martinu's Rhythmical Study No. 6, featuring jagged melodies and driving, syncopated rhythms so typical of the style. The concert closed with the All-School Choir singing two pieces by living composers. Kungala, by Stephen Leek ("Kungala" is an Aboriginal term for "a place to sing and shout", where there is plenty of shouting, singing and stamping of feet in the music), and coming full circle back to chant, Santa Maria, Succure Miseris by Alcarez, a close-harmony discordant piece based on Spanish liturgical chant.
Conducting the choirs on the night were Ms McCabe, Ms O Sullivan and Mr Feeley, with Mr Burke accompanying throughout.
March 2012
The season of Lent was marked by the Schola providing the music in St Mary's Church on March 4, the Second Sunday of Lent. The opening hymn for the mass was Return to God by David Haas; communion was the haunting We Love This Place by Christopher Walker; and the recessional hymn was the strong traditional hymn Holy God, We Praise Thy Name. Cantors for the mass were Alice Walsh, who sang the Penitential Act from the Mass of Saint Paul, Gillian Moloney, who led the psalm I Will Walk in the Presence of the Lord, and Clodagh Herron-Rice, who led the Gospel Acclamation. Later this month some of the Schola will be sitting Associated Board organ examinations.
The season of Lent was marked by the Schola providing the music in St Mary's Church on March 4, the Second Sunday of Lent. The opening hymn for the mass was Return to God by David Haas; communion was the haunting We Love This Place by Christopher Walker; and the recessional hymn was the strong traditional hymn Holy God, We Praise Thy Name. Cantors for the mass were Alice Walsh, who sang the Penitential Act from the Mass of Saint Paul, Gillian Moloney, who led the psalm I Will Walk in the Presence of the Lord, and Clodagh Herron-Rice, who led the Gospel Acclamation. Later this month some of the Schola will be sitting Associated Board organ examinations.
February 2012
"I believe that every student should learn a musical instrument," was one of the many references that President Michael D. Higgins made to music and the arts during his visit to St Joseph's Secondary School on February 27, referring to participation in extra-curricular activities like music and sport as developing "resources of the person." President Higgins was warmly welcomed to the school following an invitation by Ms Mulligan at the All-Island School Choir Competition final in Derry last November. In the course of his visit he was entertained by Irish dancers, listened to Erica Carty on harp and Eithne NicMhatuna on uileann pipes, met the entire staff and student body, and listened to the 3rd Year choirs singing Can You Hear Me? in the Music Room. The All-School Choir sang an excerpt from Elgar's The Snow in the Phoenix Theatre, before President Higgins gave a bilingual speech paying tribute to the work of the Mercy sisters, and how education has moved from a "pedagogy of fear" to a "pedagogy of love." His visit was a truly inspirational occasion that was of enormous benefit to all involved.
"I believe that every student should learn a musical instrument," was one of the many references that President Michael D. Higgins made to music and the arts during his visit to St Joseph's Secondary School on February 27, referring to participation in extra-curricular activities like music and sport as developing "resources of the person." President Higgins was warmly welcomed to the school following an invitation by Ms Mulligan at the All-Island School Choir Competition final in Derry last November. In the course of his visit he was entertained by Irish dancers, listened to Erica Carty on harp and Eithne NicMhatuna on uileann pipes, met the entire staff and student body, and listened to the 3rd Year choirs singing Can You Hear Me? in the Music Room. The All-School Choir sang an excerpt from Elgar's The Snow in the Phoenix Theatre, before President Higgins gave a bilingual speech paying tribute to the work of the Mercy sisters, and how education has moved from a "pedagogy of fear" to a "pedagogy of love." His visit was a truly inspirational occasion that was of enormous benefit to all involved.
January 2012
Following an invitation by CEIST, the Schola provided music for a conference on leadership in Catholic schools in Renehan Hall, Maynooth on January 27. The morning began with a prayer service with the Schola singing the Veni Creator Spiritus chant; Joy Fasan and Ruth Sheridan led the singing of the responsorial psalm Lord, You Have the Words by David Haas; and the service concluded with an energetic rendition of the little-known medieval polyphonic song Alle, Psalite cum Luya. After some light refreshments, the girls visited St Joseph's Oratory, where Alison Pentony played Pachelbel's Canon on the organ.
Following an invitation by CEIST, the Schola provided music for a conference on leadership in Catholic schools in Renehan Hall, Maynooth on January 27. The morning began with a prayer service with the Schola singing the Veni Creator Spiritus chant; Joy Fasan and Ruth Sheridan led the singing of the responsorial psalm Lord, You Have the Words by David Haas; and the service concluded with an energetic rendition of the little-known medieval polyphonic song Alle, Psalite cum Luya. After some light refreshments, the girls visited St Joseph's Oratory, where Alison Pentony played Pachelbel's Canon on the organ.
December 2011
On December 13 our school community, with family and friends gathered in St Oliver's Church, Navan, for our annual carol service. Ms McGrath led the prayers and responses. The service began in darkness - representing the darkest part of the year, and our lives, which is illuminated by the coming of Christ at Christmas time - while the congregation prepared themselves by singing the Taizé chant Wait for the Lord. This was followed by the Schola processing in with Veni Emmanuel; after which all stood and sang the English version of this chant, O Come, Emmanuel. Throughout the service, the assembly sang well-known carols such as Silent Night, The First Nowell and O Come, All Ye Faithful. Doireann NicMhathúna and Sally Casey, head girls, read prayers while Marie Casey lit each of the candles on the Advent wreath. The All-School Choir sang a number of carols, such as Brightest and Best by Malcolm Archer, Eternity (with new, seasonal words), the ever-popular Ring Christmas Bells and a less-well known setting of Away in a Manger by Martin Luther. The Schola sang, along with Mr Burke and Mr Feeley (supplying the bass line), a powerful mixed-voice setting of O Magnum Mysterium by living Italian composer Mariano Garau. The service provided a wonderful occasion to take time out from the busyness of the pre-Christmas season for our community to spend time in prayer and song.
On December 13 our school community, with family and friends gathered in St Oliver's Church, Navan, for our annual carol service. Ms McGrath led the prayers and responses. The service began in darkness - representing the darkest part of the year, and our lives, which is illuminated by the coming of Christ at Christmas time - while the congregation prepared themselves by singing the Taizé chant Wait for the Lord. This was followed by the Schola processing in with Veni Emmanuel; after which all stood and sang the English version of this chant, O Come, Emmanuel. Throughout the service, the assembly sang well-known carols such as Silent Night, The First Nowell and O Come, All Ye Faithful. Doireann NicMhathúna and Sally Casey, head girls, read prayers while Marie Casey lit each of the candles on the Advent wreath. The All-School Choir sang a number of carols, such as Brightest and Best by Malcolm Archer, Eternity (with new, seasonal words), the ever-popular Ring Christmas Bells and a less-well known setting of Away in a Manger by Martin Luther. The Schola sang, along with Mr Burke and Mr Feeley (supplying the bass line), a powerful mixed-voice setting of O Magnum Mysterium by living Italian composer Mariano Garau. The service provided a wonderful occasion to take time out from the busyness of the pre-Christmas season for our community to spend time in prayer and song.
December 2011
The Schola provided the music for the 1pm mass in St Mary's Church, Navan, for the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday. Soloists for the occasion were Brionna Meagher, who sang the Penitential Rite from the Mass of St Paul, using the new texts of the Roman Missal; Katie White led the responsorial psalm, My Soul Rejoices, and Clodagh Herron-Rice led the Alleluia Beati. It was encouraging to hear the assembly join in with the singing. Other music featured in the liturgy was the great Advent gathering chant O come, Emmanuel, the hypnotic communion piece My Soul in Stillness Waits by Lutheran composer Marty Haugen, and the German hymn Behold a Virgin Bearing Him which was sung as the recessional piece. The Schola also introduced music from the Mass of Renewal by Bernard Sexton, also using texts from the Revised Roman Missal.
The Schola provided the music for the 1pm mass in St Mary's Church, Navan, for the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday. Soloists for the occasion were Brionna Meagher, who sang the Penitential Rite from the Mass of St Paul, using the new texts of the Roman Missal; Katie White led the responsorial psalm, My Soul Rejoices, and Clodagh Herron-Rice led the Alleluia Beati. It was encouraging to hear the assembly join in with the singing. Other music featured in the liturgy was the great Advent gathering chant O come, Emmanuel, the hypnotic communion piece My Soul in Stillness Waits by Lutheran composer Marty Haugen, and the German hymn Behold a Virgin Bearing Him which was sung as the recessional piece. The Schola also introduced music from the Mass of Renewal by Bernard Sexton, also using texts from the Revised Roman Missal.
November 2011
On November 13, the All School Choir sang in the nail-biting final of the All-Ireland School Choir Competition, held in Derry's beautiful Millennium Forum, and broadcast live on RTE before an audience of over 300,000 people. The choir performed admirably, singing two new pieces in their repertoire: Eternity by Danish composer Michael Bojesen, and Kungala, a piece inspired by Aboriginal music by Australian composer Stephen Leek. Directed by Ms O' Sullivan and accompanied by Mr Burke, the choir demonstrated great choral capability, from the lengthy sustained notes and haunting melody of Eternity, to the powerful rhythms and vocal instrumental sounds of Kungala. Adding to the excitement and sense of occasion was the attendance of newly-elected President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, just two days after his inauguration. Despite the first prize going to Wesley College, the All School Choir represented Mercy Navan to the best of their ability, showing that the choral tradition of the school is strong and one that we are immensely proud of.
On November 13, the All School Choir sang in the nail-biting final of the All-Ireland School Choir Competition, held in Derry's beautiful Millennium Forum, and broadcast live on RTE before an audience of over 300,000 people. The choir performed admirably, singing two new pieces in their repertoire: Eternity by Danish composer Michael Bojesen, and Kungala, a piece inspired by Aboriginal music by Australian composer Stephen Leek. Directed by Ms O' Sullivan and accompanied by Mr Burke, the choir demonstrated great choral capability, from the lengthy sustained notes and haunting melody of Eternity, to the powerful rhythms and vocal instrumental sounds of Kungala. Adding to the excitement and sense of occasion was the attendance of newly-elected President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, just two days after his inauguration. Despite the first prize going to Wesley College, the All School Choir represented Mercy Navan to the best of their ability, showing that the choral tradition of the school is strong and one that we are immensely proud of.
|
|
October 2011
Going from strength to strength, the All School Choir travelled to Castlebar on October 18 to take part in the regional finals of the All-Ireland School Choir Competition, organised as a cross-border initiative by Co-operation Ireland. With Ms O Sullivan at the helm, accompanied by Mr Burke on piano, the choir sang admirable performances of Song of Rain by Australian composer Anne Boyd and Lullaby by Billy Joel. Caroline Moloney and Alison Pentony were soloists in Song of Rain. Fighting off stiff competition from four other schools in the region, the All School Choir were awarded first place, and now go through to the final of this prestigious competition which takes place in Derry on November 13. The competition was broadcast on RTE, who came into the school to record a short feature on life at St Joseph's Mercy. Head girls Doireann Nic Mhathúna and Sally Casey presented the feature.
Going from strength to strength, the All School Choir travelled to Castlebar on October 18 to take part in the regional finals of the All-Ireland School Choir Competition, organised as a cross-border initiative by Co-operation Ireland. With Ms O Sullivan at the helm, accompanied by Mr Burke on piano, the choir sang admirable performances of Song of Rain by Australian composer Anne Boyd and Lullaby by Billy Joel. Caroline Moloney and Alison Pentony were soloists in Song of Rain. Fighting off stiff competition from four other schools in the region, the All School Choir were awarded first place, and now go through to the final of this prestigious competition which takes place in Derry on November 13. The competition was broadcast on RTE, who came into the school to record a short feature on life at St Joseph's Mercy. Head girls Doireann Nic Mhathúna and Sally Casey presented the feature.
September 2011
St Joseph's marked the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy on September 23 with a celebratory mass in St Mary's Church. The theme of "Faith" flowed out of last year's theme of "Hope", and this was highlighted with each class bringing up their book of faith and a lit candle representing the light of faith in the Entrance Procession, accompanied by the hymn Christ be Our Light. Alison Pentony led the singing of the Kyrie, a new setting from the Mass of Saint Paul which uses the new texts of the Roman Missal. The psalm, Till the End of My Days by Michael Joncas, was sung by Paula Piotrowska and Alice Walsh. Caroline Moloney led the assembly in the singing of the Alleluia; Ruth Sheridan was the flautist for the offertory piece Ag Chríost an Síol, marking the fortieth anniversary of the composer's death. Other music sung during the service were the Eucharistic Acclamations from the Mass of Creation - the last time ever that these will be sung as the texts are changing over the next few months, Though We Are Many, the anthem for the Eucharistic Congress, which will be held in Dublin next year, Thanks Be to God, by Stephen Dean, and of course, Mary, Most Holy in honour of the day. The music for the mass had been taught in choir classes coming up to Mercy Day, which resulted in a splendid sound from the body of the church.
St Joseph's marked the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy on September 23 with a celebratory mass in St Mary's Church. The theme of "Faith" flowed out of last year's theme of "Hope", and this was highlighted with each class bringing up their book of faith and a lit candle representing the light of faith in the Entrance Procession, accompanied by the hymn Christ be Our Light. Alison Pentony led the singing of the Kyrie, a new setting from the Mass of Saint Paul which uses the new texts of the Roman Missal. The psalm, Till the End of My Days by Michael Joncas, was sung by Paula Piotrowska and Alice Walsh. Caroline Moloney led the assembly in the singing of the Alleluia; Ruth Sheridan was the flautist for the offertory piece Ag Chríost an Síol, marking the fortieth anniversary of the composer's death. Other music sung during the service were the Eucharistic Acclamations from the Mass of Creation - the last time ever that these will be sung as the texts are changing over the next few months, Though We Are Many, the anthem for the Eucharistic Congress, which will be held in Dublin next year, Thanks Be to God, by Stephen Dean, and of course, Mary, Most Holy in honour of the day. The music for the mass had been taught in choir classes coming up to Mercy Day, which resulted in a splendid sound from the body of the church.