Music Festival

The Music Festival - Lucy Curran

On Thursday the 26th of October the annual St Gerard’s School Music Festival took place in the Junior School Hall. It was irrefutably a night to remember, with pieces from Beethoven’s ‘Appassionata’ to ‘I’m Just Ken’ from the Barbie Movie, there was something for everyone to enjoy. What was the highlight for me was the TYs who participated: Ava Browne, Colm Kavanagh, Dasha Bokovenko, Emma Rose Miller, Uliana Nedilko, Chloe Holohan, Charlie Geelon, 

The evening commenced with the Junior Vocal Soloists section of the show, consisting of hugely talented singers from first, second and third year. I’m sure everyone in the audience can agree how impressive it was to see performers so young in age overcome their nerves and entertain us all with beautiful songs and melodies. Following this section was the Junior Instrumental and Junior Groups. Once again, witnessing each musician’s talent and confidence on stage was a sight to behold, and a massive achievement for each individual, regardless of whether they took home a prize or not. However, those who did receive awards absolutely earned them, as they dazzled our distinguished judges with their performance. These people were Molly Browne in second, and Elodie White in first for the Junior Vocal Soloists, Rory Brennan Hobbs in the Junior Instrumental section, and Caitlin Park and Lily O’ Sullivan in Junior Groups.

Once the Junior Section of the show had come to a close and families, friends and teachers had mingled in the dining hall with teas and coffees, people once again began to find their seats for the Senior part of the night. Backstage was filled with the sound of rehearsing instruments and voices, and the atmosphere was humming with a mix of nerves and excitement. First up was the Senior Groups section, with performances from the dramatic ‘Phantom of the Opera’ to the romantic ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’. Next up was the Senior Instrumental, once again containing a huge variety of acts, from piano sonatas to notes from a flute. Finally, to close the show was the most competitive section of all, the Senior Vocal Soloists. With the most participants of the night, the pressure was on, but every single performer rose to the challenge. At the end of each act I can speak for all those spectating when I say I was confident that they were our winner, only for the next competitor to blow me away yet again. Ultimately, however, the judges managed to make this tough decision, and results were ready to be announced. In the Senior Groups section Emma Rose Miller and Ava Browne placed second, with Chloe Holohan, Colm Kavanagh and Uliana Nedilko in first. Then, in the instrumental section Sadhbh McGloughin came third, with Charlotte Ballagh in second and Patrick Chen in first. Finally to close the entire evening, our Senior Vocal Soloists awardees were Charlie Geelon and Laura Hogan in fourth, Charlotte Finnegan Quirke in third, Katelyn Glass in second, and Eva Harbourne in first.

Overall the Music Festival was a hugely enjoyable experience, which I would recommend to all. Whether it be to participate, or merely spectate and support, it is a night filled with music, fun and laughter.