Musician adds a string to his bow

A NORTHSIDE student has added another string to his bow after winning Ireland’s largest classical music competition for secondary schools.

Christopher Ellis (17) from, Raheny, a sixth year student at Sutton Park School, is the winner of the 2014 Fr Frank Maher Classical Music Award.

Christopher, who plays the cello, performed two pieces:

‘Hungarian Rhapsody’ by composer David Popper and

‘Aprés un Réve’ by composer Gabriel Fauré.

“I am delighted to have won and I plan to put my prize money (

?¬3,000) towards the purchase of my own cello,

? he said.

The students competed for the top award at the at the prestigious Royal College of Physicians in Dublin.

Top Security sponsored the event. The company’s chairman, Emmet O’Rafferty, established the awards to honour the memory of one of his former teachers.
The competition is open to sixth year post-primary students of strings, woodwind, brass and piano.

A classical programme can only be entered and the aim is to showcase outstanding young musical talent in Ireland.

Emmet O’Rafferty said:

“Father Frank Maher was a teacher at Castleknock College from 1959 to 1998.

“He was a great spotter and mentor of talent in many areas of school life and was particularly passionate about classical music.

“I know that he would have expressed enormous pride and pleasure in tonight’s performances at this wonderful venue.

?

Mr O’Rafferty added:

“Christopher now joins an extremely talented line of young musical talent and I wish him the very best for his future career.

?

The remaining six finalists each received a

?¬250 bursary. Flautist Nadia Grimes (17), from Skerries, a student at Loreto Secondary School, Balbriggan, was among the remaining six finalists.