This article is from page 32 of the 2007-12-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 32 JPG
IT’S shaping up to be a busy festive season for the students of Maoin Cheoil an Chlair and the school’s new director, Hans Boller.
On Saturday, students from the Ennis-based school performed a fundraising concert at the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre. It 1s just the first in a series of concerts planned for Christmas.
The main event occurs on Wednes- day, December 12 when respected musician, composer and academic Micheal O’Suilleabhain takes to the stage in Danlann an Chlair.
O’Suilleabhain, chairperson and
co-founder of Maoin Cheoil an Chlair, will be joined by more than 100 students from the school, who will also perform over two nights, December 12 and 23.
Hans Boller, the recently appoint- ed director of Maoin Cheoil, said preparations are well underway for the concert. “Over the two days, we expect there will be over 100-200 students performing. It is the kind of event that takes a lot of work but everyone is looking forward to it.”
Originally from Germany, Boller has lived in Limerick for the past eight years. He was appointed to the post of director after attaining a masters in medieval music from the
University of Limerick. He is look- ing forward to working in Ennis.
“It is going well so far. The main thing is to get the students to per- form, we are trying to have as many performances in the school as pos- sible. We hope to bring a few new teachers to the school so that we can offer new classes.”
The school caters for 380 students with a staff of 17 teachers. Talks are also taking place with Glor about giving students the opportunity to perform in the venue’s foyer space.
“It important, for their own ben- efit, that they get to play regularly. It is something we are looking at and hopefully we will know in the New
Year if it is going to happen”. Then- president Mary Robinson opened Maoin Cheoil an Chlair in 1994. It was the first music school in Ireland to include classical and traditional music on an equal basis.
Founded by Fr Harry Bohan and Prof O Suilleabhain, Maoin Cheoil an Chlair was designed as a model for similar schools in other local au- thority areas and further afield.
Maoin Cheoil an Chlair has close links with the Sionna Academy of Music and Dance (Irish World Music Centre) at the University of Lim- erick and frequently draws on the wide international music education expertise at the university.