GLÓR has appointed 17-year-old Sean Shannon as its first Young Associate Artist.
Through its Associate Artists programme glór aims to support artists in practical ways, enabling connections between artists, audiences and communities throughout Clare, and facilitating the creation of new work inspired by Clare’s unique culture and landscape.
Sean received his initial piano lessons from Meaghan Dineen through the Music Generation programme.
He is currently studying with Tatiana Timofeeva, and in September he will commence a Bachelor in Music Performance on an entrance scholarship at the Royal Irish Academy of Music under Professor Réamonn Keary.
In 2018 he performed for President Michael D. Higgins at Clarecare charity’s 50th anniversary celebration, and at the age of 14 he gave his debut solo recital at Glór in 2019. Last year he featured on RTÉ’s Nationwide.
Sean has also successfully participated in numerous national piano competitions, most recently the Feis Ceoil and previously received a scholarship funded by Maoin Cheoil an Chláir/Limerick School of Music, and for several years he received the Ennis Lions Club Mary Keohane Bursary.
As part of the 2022 Associate Artist Programme, Sean will perform a solo recital in glór on Thursday, September 8 at 7pm, at which he will present a diverse range of solo piano works composed throughout the centuries.
From the solemnity and severity of Bach’s music to the poetry of Chopin, the intensity and volatility of Scriabin and the unorthodox harmonies and jazz influence present in American composer Aaron Copland’s music, this programme takes the listener through a brief history of classical music over the centuries, exploring a wide range of styles and emotions. Sean will also chat about each piece and its composer during the recital.
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked with a number of other publications in Limerick, Cork and Galway. His first book will be published in December 2024.