Classical music students impress at finals of top competition

TWO classical music students from the Southside have been recognised for their talents after performing at the finals of a prestigious competition.

Pianist Lucy McCabe (17) from Cabinteely, a sixth year student at Rathdown School in Glenageary and violinist Phoebe White (17) from Rathfarnham, a sixth year student at Wesley College in Ballinteer, were two of the seven finalists at the 2014 Fr Frank Maher Classical Music Awards.

With a

?¬3,000 first prize sponsored by Top Security, it is Ireland’s largest classical music competition for secondary schools.

It took place on Thursday, November 13 in the prestigious surroundings of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland on Kildare Street.

Lucy and Phoebe each performed two pieces on the night. Lucy’s were Intermezzo Op26 no4 by Robert Schuman and Jeux D’Eau by Maurice Ravel. Phoebe’s were Sarabande in D Minor by composer Johann Bach and Caprice Basque Op 24 by Pablo De Sarasate.

The winner was cellist Christopher Ellis (17), a sixth year student at Sutton Park School.
Lucy, Phoebe and the other finalists each received a

?¬250 bursary.
Emmet O’Rafferty, chairman of Top Security, congratulated Lucy and Phoebe on their excellent performances.

“Fr Frank Maher was a teacher at Castleknock College from 1959 to 1998,

? Mr Maher said.

“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. I wish both Lucy and Phoebe the very best in their future careers.

?

The Fr Frank Maher Music Awards were established by Top Security chairman Emmet O’Rafferty to honour the memory of one of his former teachers.

It 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.