News 2012-2013
May 2013
The final week in school also proved to be a busy week for the Schola, who sang in St Mary's Church on Saturday 18 May for the Vigil of Pentecost, and again the following Saturday at the two parish confirmation ceremonies. Thankfully, there was some cross-over in the repertoire! The opening hymn for both days was suitably Holy Spirit, Come Confirm Us, by Stephen Dean. Eimer Finn was the cantor in the Gloria from the New Mass for John Carroll. The sprightly psalm Send Forth Your Spirit was sung alternatively by Nastasya Farrelly, Olivia Murtagh and Lorna O'Dea, and the familiar Celtic Alleluia gave Alison Pentony and Kinga Piotrowska the opportunity as cantors. Each year, parents and teachers commend the choir on the suitability of repertoire: during the Rite of Confirmation, the great chant for Pentecost, the Veni Sancte Spiritus was sung, followed by a new setting of the Sequence for Pentecost: Come, O Holy Spirit of God, with Adele Crilly as cantor. Brionna Meagher sang the verses of No Longer I. Finally the Schola sang Confirma Hoc, Deus, the prescibed chant for the specific time when the Bishop washes his hands after the anointing. As over three hundred boys and girls from local primary schools were confirmed, there was a need for much instrumental music: Niamh Fitzsimons and Gillian Moloney played harp, and Emily Kelly-Leahy played flute throughout the service. A new venture this year was that the Offertory motet, Lead Me, Lord by Samuel Wesley, was conducted by one of the group, Katie White, who has just completed her second year of Schola. The long day was broken by a pleasant lunch in Eddie Rockets.
The final week in school also proved to be a busy week for the Schola, who sang in St Mary's Church on Saturday 18 May for the Vigil of Pentecost, and again the following Saturday at the two parish confirmation ceremonies. Thankfully, there was some cross-over in the repertoire! The opening hymn for both days was suitably Holy Spirit, Come Confirm Us, by Stephen Dean. Eimer Finn was the cantor in the Gloria from the New Mass for John Carroll. The sprightly psalm Send Forth Your Spirit was sung alternatively by Nastasya Farrelly, Olivia Murtagh and Lorna O'Dea, and the familiar Celtic Alleluia gave Alison Pentony and Kinga Piotrowska the opportunity as cantors. Each year, parents and teachers commend the choir on the suitability of repertoire: during the Rite of Confirmation, the great chant for Pentecost, the Veni Sancte Spiritus was sung, followed by a new setting of the Sequence for Pentecost: Come, O Holy Spirit of God, with Adele Crilly as cantor. Brionna Meagher sang the verses of No Longer I. Finally the Schola sang Confirma Hoc, Deus, the prescibed chant for the specific time when the Bishop washes his hands after the anointing. As over three hundred boys and girls from local primary schools were confirmed, there was a need for much instrumental music: Niamh Fitzsimons and Gillian Moloney played harp, and Emily Kelly-Leahy played flute throughout the service. A new venture this year was that the Offertory motet, Lead Me, Lord by Samuel Wesley, was conducted by one of the group, Katie White, who has just completed her second year of Schola. The long day was broken by a pleasant lunch in Eddie Rockets.
May 2013
The final week in school provides an occasion when students efforts across the academic and extra-curricular board are acknowledged and rewarded. The hard working Music Prefects and Schola members received their certificates of participation on Tuesday 21 May, followed by lunch in the canteen. After school, the All School Choir had their final rehearsal, at the end of which Sr Anna Bray presented all members with their certificates of participation. There were three further special All School Choir Awards this year - these went to three 6th Year members of the choir: Claire Pentony for enthusiasm, Shannon Mead for leadership, and Olivia Hickey for determination. The All School Choir had a presentation themselves to make: to Mr Feeley in gratitude for his wonderful composition Táimse im Chodhladh, and to Ms O'Sullivan for her work with the choir throughout the year. On Wednesday 22 May, Awards Day took place for St Joseph's at Solstice Arts Centre. At both awards ceremonies, the All School Choir performed Táimse im Chodhladh, with Mr Feeley accompanying on piano. Ms O'Sullivan gave a speech in reflection for all that had happened in Music throughout the academic year: from Mercy Day Mass, to recording the CD A Little Child Was Born, to the Carol Service, to Morning Mass live on RTE, to various Choral Festival performances, it has once again been a busy year! At the Awards ceremony, the Music at Mercy Award for 2013 was presented to Niamh Fitzsimons. Niamh, who is in 6th year and about to take Music among her other subjects for Leaving Certificate examinations in June, was a worthy winner demonstrating the qualities of this award in her own humble way: she has shown tremendous dedication to her own personal musical development throughout her time at St Joseph's. She has also contributed to the long standing music traditions of our school by her membership of the Tuition Programme, Schola and in the past, All School Choir. Well done and congratulations to Niamh! |
May 2013
Four choirs from St Joseph’s competed at Navan Choral Festival on Friday 10 May, representing the long-standing choral tradition of our school. All choirs performed to high standards. In the Junior Choirs Competition, 3rd Year Choir 3A & 3B and 1st Year Choir 1A & 1B performed excellently. The 3rd Years, under the direction of Ms McCabe, and accompanied by Ms O’Sullivan, performed Sound of Silence and I Say a Little Prayer and scored an impressive 85%. The 1st Year Choir, under the direction of Ms O’Sullivan, and accompanied by Mr Burke, performed Morning and I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables. The 1st Years were awarded Second Place in the competition with a score of 90%, just a single mark behind the winners. Well done to the 1st Years, a choir with a very bright future!
The 5th Year Choir competed in the National Post-Primary School/Youth Choir competition. The standard of choral singing in this competition was very high. The 5th years gave a great performance, under the direction of Ms McCabe and accompanied by Mr Burke, and were awarded a mark of 85%. They sang Winter, Fire and Snow and Viva La Vida.
Four choirs from St Joseph’s competed at Navan Choral Festival on Friday 10 May, representing the long-standing choral tradition of our school. All choirs performed to high standards. In the Junior Choirs Competition, 3rd Year Choir 3A & 3B and 1st Year Choir 1A & 1B performed excellently. The 3rd Years, under the direction of Ms McCabe, and accompanied by Ms O’Sullivan, performed Sound of Silence and I Say a Little Prayer and scored an impressive 85%. The 1st Year Choir, under the direction of Ms O’Sullivan, and accompanied by Mr Burke, performed Morning and I Dreamed a Dream from Les Miserables. The 1st Years were awarded Second Place in the competition with a score of 90%, just a single mark behind the winners. Well done to the 1st Years, a choir with a very bright future!
The 5th Year Choir competed in the National Post-Primary School/Youth Choir competition. The standard of choral singing in this competition was very high. The 5th years gave a great performance, under the direction of Ms McCabe and accompanied by Mr Burke, and were awarded a mark of 85%. They sang Winter, Fire and Snow and Viva La Vida.
The All School Choir, under the direction of Ms O'Sullivan, competed in the Irish Language Competition performing the new composition Táimse im Chodhladh, and accompanied on piano by Mr Feeley, who wrote the piece specially for the choir. Both adjudicators were impressed by this performance which, according to adjudicator Sean MacLiam, was full of "magic moments". They were awarded First Place in this competition with a score of 93%, the second consecutive year that the All School Choir have won this title at Navan Choral Festival.
Congratulations to all the Mercy Choirs who performed at Navan Choral Festival. |
May 2013
The All School Choir had a most enjoyable trip to Cork on May 1 for the International Choral Festival. The trip to Cork involved travelling by train to and from Cork, and the much anticipated overnight stay at Sheila’s Hostel. Part of the night’s bonding activities included pizza and watching the movie Mamma Mia. Two other choirs from Russia and Lithuania were also staying at Sheila’s Hostel showing the international flavour of the biggest Choral Festival in Ireland. The Competition took place on Thurs 2nd May where 16 choirs in total sang in the Equal Voice Competition. The All School Choir performed with skill and enthusiasm, to which the audience responded by a huge applause. They performed Táimse im Chodhladh, composed especially for the festival by Mr Feeley, and accompanied on piano by Mr Burke, followed by the rousing Kungala by Australian composer, Stephen Leek. Mr Feeley was present to hear the world premiere of his piece. The All School Choir was awarded a certificate of Distinction with a score of 88.75%. Well done to the All School Choir! A special word of thanks to Ms Carolan who travelled with Ms O’Sullivan and the choir to Cork. |
March 2013
The All School Choir travelled down south on Friday 1 March to sing at Limerick Choral Festival. This was the choir’s first competitive performance this year and indeed their first time to sing in Limerick city. In the beautiful setting of the Redemptorist Church, St Joseph’s All School Choir sang Et in Terra, the second movement form Vivaldi’s Gloria, accompanied on piano by Mr Burke and Caife Gaelach by Br Ben Hanlon for the Equal Voice Post-Primary School Choirs competition. The Mercy Navan girls were place 2nd with a score of 92 with the winners, the boys choir of De La Salle, Waterford, succeeding on the narrowest of margins scoring 92.5! On Sunday, the Dr Patrick McCormack perpetual cup for the best performance of an acappella song in the festival was awarded to St Joseph’s Mercy Secondary School, All School Choir for their performance of Caife Gaelach. Well done to the All School Choir and their director Ms O’Sullivan!
The All School Choir travelled down south on Friday 1 March to sing at Limerick Choral Festival. This was the choir’s first competitive performance this year and indeed their first time to sing in Limerick city. In the beautiful setting of the Redemptorist Church, St Joseph’s All School Choir sang Et in Terra, the second movement form Vivaldi’s Gloria, accompanied on piano by Mr Burke and Caife Gaelach by Br Ben Hanlon for the Equal Voice Post-Primary School Choirs competition. The Mercy Navan girls were place 2nd with a score of 92 with the winners, the boys choir of De La Salle, Waterford, succeeding on the narrowest of margins scoring 92.5! On Sunday, the Dr Patrick McCormack perpetual cup for the best performance of an acappella song in the festival was awarded to St Joseph’s Mercy Secondary School, All School Choir for their performance of Caife Gaelach. Well done to the All School Choir and their director Ms O’Sullivan!
January 2013
"Ready in 5, 4, 3 ..." became a familiar phrase for the fifty students and staff from St Joseph's Mercy Secondary School who travelled to RTE early on the morning of January 27 to sing at the broadcast Sunday liturgy. Following the ICMA Summer School last July, Roger Childs, the Director of Religious Programming at RTE, invited the Schola to provide the music at mass to celebrate the beginning of Catholic Schools Week. Members of the All School Choir, staff and parents were the worshipping community. We were delighted to welcome back three alumni of the Schola programme for the event: Laura Duffy, Caroline Moloney and Alice Walsh, showing that the legacy of Catholic education lasts well beyond students' days in second-level.
Music for the event reflected the rich variety of sacred music that is now in the Schola's repertoire. Gregorian chant was reflected in the Kyrie XVI, led by Niamh Fitzsimons, Brionna Meagher and Alison Pentony, and the sinuous Agnus Dei from the Missa de Angelis. Contemporary-style liturgical music was represented by the responsorial psalm Lord, You Have the Words, sung by Lorna O'Dea and Ruth Sheridan, and Deep Within as the offertory piece, both by American composer David Haas, along with the rousing City of God by Dan Schutte as the recessional hymn. More traditional-style hymnody featured the robust Christ be With Me, by Irish composer John O'Keeffe and the haunting Taste and See by John Gibson. Mass parts included the sprightly Gloria from the New Mass for John Carroll by Michael Joncas, with cantors Adele Crilly and Eimer Finn; the Alleluia from Liam Lawton's Glendalough Mass, led by Gillian Moloney and Katie White, and Eucharistic Acclamations from the Mass of Saint Paul by Ephrem Feeley.
The mass reflected the liturgical practice of the school, where participation is valued and encouraged. Powerful readings of the day from Nehemiah and 1 Corinthians were read by Claire Pentony and Ms Mulligan, Nessa Farrelly led the Prayers of the Faithful and Lovely Angeles was altar server. Fr Kevin, our school chaplain, presided and gave a thought-provoking homily, referring to the significance of Catholic Schools Week: "Our school is a community of faith for at the heart of our school is our Lord Jesus Christ who not only builds community, but challenges us to live up to that unity."
"Ready in 5, 4, 3 ..." became a familiar phrase for the fifty students and staff from St Joseph's Mercy Secondary School who travelled to RTE early on the morning of January 27 to sing at the broadcast Sunday liturgy. Following the ICMA Summer School last July, Roger Childs, the Director of Religious Programming at RTE, invited the Schola to provide the music at mass to celebrate the beginning of Catholic Schools Week. Members of the All School Choir, staff and parents were the worshipping community. We were delighted to welcome back three alumni of the Schola programme for the event: Laura Duffy, Caroline Moloney and Alice Walsh, showing that the legacy of Catholic education lasts well beyond students' days in second-level.
Music for the event reflected the rich variety of sacred music that is now in the Schola's repertoire. Gregorian chant was reflected in the Kyrie XVI, led by Niamh Fitzsimons, Brionna Meagher and Alison Pentony, and the sinuous Agnus Dei from the Missa de Angelis. Contemporary-style liturgical music was represented by the responsorial psalm Lord, You Have the Words, sung by Lorna O'Dea and Ruth Sheridan, and Deep Within as the offertory piece, both by American composer David Haas, along with the rousing City of God by Dan Schutte as the recessional hymn. More traditional-style hymnody featured the robust Christ be With Me, by Irish composer John O'Keeffe and the haunting Taste and See by John Gibson. Mass parts included the sprightly Gloria from the New Mass for John Carroll by Michael Joncas, with cantors Adele Crilly and Eimer Finn; the Alleluia from Liam Lawton's Glendalough Mass, led by Gillian Moloney and Katie White, and Eucharistic Acclamations from the Mass of Saint Paul by Ephrem Feeley.
The mass reflected the liturgical practice of the school, where participation is valued and encouraged. Powerful readings of the day from Nehemiah and 1 Corinthians were read by Claire Pentony and Ms Mulligan, Nessa Farrelly led the Prayers of the Faithful and Lovely Angeles was altar server. Fr Kevin, our school chaplain, presided and gave a thought-provoking homily, referring to the significance of Catholic Schools Week: "Our school is a community of faith for at the heart of our school is our Lord Jesus Christ who not only builds community, but challenges us to live up to that unity."
December 2012
Immediately following the carol service, Ms Mulligan formally launched our Christmas CD A Little Child was Born. Months of hard work went into the production of this collection, with choirs and music groups starting preparations as far back as September. The end result was a very beautiful collection of twenty-one pieces of music for the festive season; a collection that shows the inclusivity found in Mercy Navan: every choir, every student, music both sacred and secular. Artwork in the CD booklet and case was contributed by 6th Year students Clare Pentony and Paula Piotrowska and 3rd Year student Tara Scanlon. From the haunting Winter, Fire and Snow to the rousing O Come All Ye Faithful to the hypnotic chant O Sapientia, this CD is a welcome addition to everyone's celebration of Christmas. Making an ideal stocking filler, it is reasonably priced at €5.00 and is available from any of the music teachers in the school. Tracks from the CD were played on LyricFM's Carols for Christmas programme, and also on LMFM's morning programme, which also featured an interview with Ms O Sullivan, Paula Piotrowska and Clare Pentony.
Immediately following the carol service, Ms Mulligan formally launched our Christmas CD A Little Child was Born. Months of hard work went into the production of this collection, with choirs and music groups starting preparations as far back as September. The end result was a very beautiful collection of twenty-one pieces of music for the festive season; a collection that shows the inclusivity found in Mercy Navan: every choir, every student, music both sacred and secular. Artwork in the CD booklet and case was contributed by 6th Year students Clare Pentony and Paula Piotrowska and 3rd Year student Tara Scanlon. From the haunting Winter, Fire and Snow to the rousing O Come All Ye Faithful to the hypnotic chant O Sapientia, this CD is a welcome addition to everyone's celebration of Christmas. Making an ideal stocking filler, it is reasonably priced at €5.00 and is available from any of the music teachers in the school. Tracks from the CD were played on LyricFM's Carols for Christmas programme, and also on LMFM's morning programme, which also featured an interview with Ms O Sullivan, Paula Piotrowska and Clare Pentony.
December 2012
St Joseph's Mercy Secondary School gathered together on the cold, frosty night of December 11 to celebrate their annual carol service in St Oliver's Church. Our community of students, staff, families and friends of Mercy, with our chaplain Fr Kevin as presider, waited in the church in darkness while we sang the Taizé chant Wait for the Lord. The Schola carried the light into the church while they sang the great Advent antiphon Veni Emmanuel. Throughout the service, Old Testament prophecies were read about the coming of the Messiah; to mark the beginning of the new church year, the infancy narrative from the Gospel of Luke was also read. Interspersed with the readings were traditional and modern carols, some familiar and some not too familiar. During the reading of Psalm 71, Gillian Moloney quietly played harp capturing the text: "I will praise you with the harp ... sing to you with the lyre." Highlights of the night included the All School Choir singing Ring Christmas Bells, Cara Woods and Alison Pentony singing the final verse of In the Bleak Midwinter, and, of course, a staple carol in St Joseph's repertoire at this stage, Night of Silence, while the community sang Silent Night underneath as a quodlibet. A truly special, captivating, wondrous event was experienced by all who attended.
St Joseph's Mercy Secondary School gathered together on the cold, frosty night of December 11 to celebrate their annual carol service in St Oliver's Church. Our community of students, staff, families and friends of Mercy, with our chaplain Fr Kevin as presider, waited in the church in darkness while we sang the Taizé chant Wait for the Lord. The Schola carried the light into the church while they sang the great Advent antiphon Veni Emmanuel. Throughout the service, Old Testament prophecies were read about the coming of the Messiah; to mark the beginning of the new church year, the infancy narrative from the Gospel of Luke was also read. Interspersed with the readings were traditional and modern carols, some familiar and some not too familiar. During the reading of Psalm 71, Gillian Moloney quietly played harp capturing the text: "I will praise you with the harp ... sing to you with the lyre." Highlights of the night included the All School Choir singing Ring Christmas Bells, Cara Woods and Alison Pentony singing the final verse of In the Bleak Midwinter, and, of course, a staple carol in St Joseph's repertoire at this stage, Night of Silence, while the community sang Silent Night underneath as a quodlibet. A truly special, captivating, wondrous event was experienced by all who attended.
October 2012
For another year, the Open Night at Mercy Secondary School highlighted the many talents of our students, not least those who sang and played in the Music Department. Over two hundred parents attended, who, along with their daughters and families, were treated to a varied diet of music throughout the night. There were guitarists and pianists playing in many parts of the school, on corridors, in the Music Room, popping up unexpectedly in classrooms; singers and harpists gave impromptu performances; the Schola sang a number of pieces; all showed the variety of musical opportunities that our students get during their time in Mercy. A long, demanding night was made a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all involved through music, drama, scientific and matemathical demonstrations. Even after the last few parents left, there were still musicians performing in the foyer. Well done to all involved, and to those students who applied for First Year 2013, welcome to Mercy!
For another year, the Open Night at Mercy Secondary School highlighted the many talents of our students, not least those who sang and played in the Music Department. Over two hundred parents attended, who, along with their daughters and families, were treated to a varied diet of music throughout the night. There were guitarists and pianists playing in many parts of the school, on corridors, in the Music Room, popping up unexpectedly in classrooms; singers and harpists gave impromptu performances; the Schola sang a number of pieces; all showed the variety of musical opportunities that our students get during their time in Mercy. A long, demanding night was made a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all involved through music, drama, scientific and matemathical demonstrations. Even after the last few parents left, there were still musicians performing in the foyer. Well done to all involved, and to those students who applied for First Year 2013, welcome to Mercy!
September 2012
The All School Choir travelled to Athlone on Friday 28th September to sing at the annual CEIST Conference. Three choirs from CEIST schools were invited to sing at the two-day conference themed around the concept of 'Many Desks, One Table'. It was a great honour for the All School Choir to be invited to sing at the closing of the conference, where they sang Elgar's The Snow and after a short closing prayer, sang the Irish Blessing May the Road Rise to Meet You by Lori True. |
September 2012
On a very wet and gloomy afternoon, St Joseph's Secondary School gathered as a school community to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, September 24. Following themes from the past two years, this year's theme was simply "Caritas", and for the preceding month students and teachers explored the rich meaning of this Latin word: love, expressed through charity and care for all people. Our chaplain, Fr Kevin, was the celebrant. Each class prepared a colourful banner with references to the school crest and theme; these were brought up during the Entrance Procession, during which the hymn Christ be Our Light was sung. Lorna O' Dea led the singing of the Penitential Act from the Mass of Saint Paul. The Responsorial Psalm was a setting of Psalm 90: Fill Us with Your Love; this was led by Rachel Barrett and Paula Piotrowska, accompanied by Ruth Sheridan on flute. The Gospel Acclamation was led by Cait Cregan and Katie White. The three readings used during the mass expressed the theme of Caritas perfectly: the first reading from Acts of the Apostles told how the early disciples shared what they had with those in need; the second reading from the First Letter of St John revealed God to be the source of Christian love; and the Gospel told of Jesus asking Peter, "Do you love me?", with the following instruction to "feed my sheep." This theme was also expressed through music, with the Offertory chant aptly being Ubi Caritas from the Gregorian repertoire sung by the Schola. The Communion Hymn, filled with wonderful discords, was God is Love by Michael Joncas, itself a musical setting of the words of the second reading, with the Schola leading the verses, a translation of the Ubi Caritas text. The second communion hymn was Mary, Most Holy, which also took up the theme of the mass: "service to others, cheerfully giving," a thumbprint that is found again and again throughout the community of Mercy Navan. |