Success for Offaly school's Trad Group at prestigious Interschools Competition
There was success for an Offaly school's Trad Group at a prestigious Interschools Competition.
The CNC Kilcormac trad group were delighted to be named the second place prize winners in the Wesley Interschools Music Festival held on the Wesley College campus on Saturday last.
Having not competed together as a trad group since 2018 and with many of the older members moving on to college, a new era of trad group have been practising since October 2021. The trad group practiced before school and during lunchtime once a week. As they approached the Wesley Interschools competition the practices increased with a practice over midterm break and most mornings and lunchtimes.
Their dedication was worthwhile in what was a high standard competition. The tunes that CNC performed were: Planxty Magic Marking - composed by the great Cork piano accordion player Martin Power, McDiarmada’s March – a March from Charlie Lennon’s Áille na hÁille suite in commemoration of those who died in 1916 and the Pop Polka in A – a composition by the great box player Damien Mullane.
There were nine schools competing in the competition. Along with Coláiste Naomh Cormac, competitors from St Finian’s Mullingar (Junior and Senior Ensemble), Loreto Mullingar, Gonzaga College, St Joseph’s Castlebar, Sandford Park School, the hosts Wesley College and the eventual winners St Patrick’s Cavan took part.
The CNC Kilcormac group were hopeful of a top four finish having heard the full competition. The judge on the day, Mr Tim Doyle, spoke passionately about the importance of communication and interaction within the groups. Having announced the commended and highly commended placings there were only four schools remaining in contention for the top two medal spots. Mr Doyle spoke of the complete different styles between the top two schools – one a well communicated traditional arrangement and one a different orchestral style with a more modern fusion.
Having spoken of the fact that it was a personal decision on the day Mr Doyle announced CNC as the 2nd place prize winners and St Patrick’s Cavan as the winners. The students of CNC Kilcormac were thrilled to be in the top two medal places. 6th year students Enda Callaghan, Kimberley Delaney and Katelyn Bagnall received the prizes on behalf of the group.
The 6th years were sad that their time in the CNC trad group has come to an end but delighted to leave on a high, as medallists from the prestigious competition. On the return journey to CNC the students thanked the teachers who helped them prepare for the competition, Ms Hennessy, Ms Browne and Ms Buckley.
The students who took part were: 6th years: E. Callaghan (piano), K. Delaney & K. Bagnall (Fiddles), 5th year: Elaine Lynch (Concertina), TY: Orla & Ciara Kilmartin (Concertina & Whistle) & Aoife Costello (Concertina), 2nd Years: Bláthínn Dooley (Harp & Whistle) & Oliver Young (Bodhrán & Whistle) and 1st year student: Aoife Egan (whistle). For the 1st and 2nd year students it was their first outing with the school trad group and the older students were really impressed with their enthusiasm and hard work. Well done to all involved.