Castleknock student makes scholarship final

TALENTED Pianist Niamh Kenny from Castleknock was honoured as one of the finalists of the recent 2012 Fr Frank Maher Music Awards – Ireland’s largest classical music scholarship for post-primary schools.

The awards went nationwide for the first time this year and seven young finalists, five from Dublin and two from Cork, competed on November 7 at Castleknock College for the top prize of a

?¬2,000 scholarship fund to further their musical career.

The eventual winner was cellist Sinead O’Halloran from Cork but local girl Niamh, along with the other finalists, each received a cheque for

?¬150.

Emmet O’Rafferty, chairman of sponsors Top Security and former second row forward for Leinster, explained why his company backed the awards.

“Father Frank Maher was an inspirational teacher at my old school, Castleknock College, and his love of music inspired me to set up this scholarship in his memory ten years ago,

? he said.

“I know that he would be very pleased and proud at the very high standard set by the Scholarship over the years.

?

The Fr Frank Maher Music Awards was open to sixth year post-primary students of strings, woodwind, brass and piano. A classical programme could only be entered and the aim was to showcase outstanding young musical talent in Ireland.

The standard is extremely high and this year’s judging panel included Dr Marion Doherty Hayden, retired Head of Music at St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, and Peter Sweeney, the renowned organist, teacher and adjudicator.

“Many previous winners, Máire Carroll, Kevin O’Hara, Robert Farhat, Ayane Yamanaka and Karen Abe to name but a few, all went on to further their studies in music,

? said O’Rafferty.

“We were delighted that our 2009 winner, Máire Carroll, who’s currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London, was able to be here to give another great performance.

“This year’s winner, Sinead O’Halloran, is another example of the wonderful calibre of young musical talent in Ireland and I wish her, Niamh Kenny and the other finalists the very best in their future career.

?