Legendary choral ensemble to perform for local college

Gabija Gataveckaite

A LEGENDARY choral ensemble is to take part in a special performance in aid of a local college that has been a central part of Dun Laoghaire for over 30 years.

The St Nicholas Montessori Teacher Training College and Primary School is hosting a concert by the renowned flagship a cappella vocal ensemble Anúna in Christ Church, Dun Laoghaire on February 16.

All proceeds, after costs, will go towards the St Nicholas Montessori Society of Ireland (SIMI) 2025 Development Strategy, which aims to develop a ‘Centre of Excellence in Montessori Education’ in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown. 

 “We’re very much looking forward to the society and the community coming out and enjoying the concert,” said Nicholas Breakwell, CEO of St Nicholas Montessori College.

“We would love for people to come along as Anúna are very well known and a great evening is in store, with a wine reception afterwards for attendees to learn more about Montessori,” he added. 

The concert is part of a range of fundraisers that the society has planned for its large scale 2025 Development Strategy, which will include school-based events and a search for donors, be it corporate or individual. 

The St Nicholas Montessori College in Dun Laoghaire currently provides private third-level education for student teachers, who then get to teach primary school pupils at the private St Nicholas Montessori School. 

The strategy aims to expand on its current school in Dun Laoghaire to provide second-level education in the area, as well as an additional psychology degree at the college.

Ciaran Conroy, Director of Paragon Music Group and Milestone Music Management, is a parent of children who attend the Montessori School and is one of the concert organisers. 

“I’m absolutely looking forward to it, this will be set in a beautiful candlelit environment,” he explained. “Christ Church is really beautiful itself and only five minutes’ away from the college,” he added.

The society has many other plans in store to raise funds for the strategy over 2019, from school-based events to capital investment.

“These events are a part of the fundraising for the 2025 Development strategy, to raise awareness of what the society does,” Mr Conroy added.

As a parent with two children in the school, he described the Montessori teaching methods, which, according to Mr Breakwell, focus on “educating a whole person and not just academic development”.

“I think the school is excellent,” Mr Conroy added. “I can only speak from a parental perspective but my two kids benefit greatly from the teaching methodologies.”

Mr Breakwell added that the key pillars of the development plan are to increase the size of schools and open new schools.

Tickets for the concert on February 16 are on sale now from www.eventbrite.ie or www.facebook.com/StNicholasMCI