Coláiste orchestra back at concert hall

The ladies of the Coláiste Muire Orchestra, Ennis, have returned to the National Concert Hall stage, bridging a gap of more than 30 years since an ensemble from the school performed at the prestigious venue.
The Ennis ensemble was joined by the St Peter’s College Orchestra from Dunboyne, County Meath, when participating in the 15th Festival of Youth Orchestras in February. Eight ensembles participated in two concerts in the main auditorium in the event.
The eight groups represented a broad range of youth orchestral activity, from junior players to pre-professionals. The combined ensemble was the only collaborative venture to feature this year and the only secondary school ensemble to perform on the day.
The 20-minute programme opened with an unlikely pairing of a Mozart favourite, Sleigh Ride, followed by a lively Latin-American samba. Arrangements of music from films made up the rest of the programme, with an original arrangement of Pirates of the Caribbean, specially arranged for the orchestra.
The concert was compered by Seán Rocks, presenter of RTÉ flagship arts programme, Arena. Following the performance, principal cellist Tamires Roque from Coláiste Muire remained on the platform for a short interview with the presenter.
The school last performed on the NCH stage in 1980, when they were conducted by Sr Byrne.
Viola player Gráinne Murphy, a fourth-year pupil, said, “It was very exciting to play on a platform where so many world-famous musicians have performed. It was an amazing experience.”
“This festival is, for many of our young players, a very special opportunity to perform in our National Concert Hall and is a great boost to the cultural and artistic life of our school community,” said principal Jean Pound.
St Peter’s College Orchestra was founded by musician and teacher Cathy Desmond in 2003. Cathy got involved with the Coláiste Muire Orchestra when she moved to Ennis in 2006.
“I was delighted to introduce new friends to old ones for this gala occasion and discussions are already underway regarding future ventures,” she commented.