Recipients from County Donegal receiving their High Achiever’s Award from the Royal Irish Academy of Music at the Waterside Theatre, Derry on Sunday last, from Theresa Doyle, Local Centre Manager, Royal Irish Academy of Music (second from left) and Dr. Jennifer McCay, Chair of Senior Examiners, Royal Irish Academy of Music (second from right). From left are Aisling Sharkey, Kincasslagh, Marie McGirr, Donegal Town, Lara Sweeney, Ardagh, Ceolan McMullian, Ballyshannon and Ciaran Traynor, Ballybofey.
It was showtime for talented students from across the county who were presented with medals of achievement from the Royal Irish Academy of Music at a special concert held at the Waterside Theatre in Derry.
Donegal winners included Lara Sweeney, Ceolan McMullin, Aisling Sharkey, Sarah Ponsoby, Niall Hannigan, Laura Kealey, Niamh Harkin and Jessica O’Brien.
The Ulster RIAM High Achiever Award 2014 winners received their medals for outstanding results in music and speech and drama exams held during the summer.
The RIAM High Achievers concerts represent a selection of the talent from the 43,000 students that were examined at the Local Centre Exams in the past year.
The concerts are one of the highlights of the RIAM calendar because they provide an opportunity to celebrate all the talented students around Ireland and also to acknowledge the hard work of the students, teachers and parents.
Among the award winners were members of the Donegal Chamber Orchestra, Donegal Youth Orchestra, Intermediate Orchestra and the Errigal Groove Orchestra.
Concert performers on the day included:
Lara Sweeney (aged 16) from Crumlin, Ardara performed “Fantaisie Impromptu” by Andre Jolivet, and “Sarabande et Allegro” by Gabriel Grovlez on the alto saxophone.
Aisling Sharkey (aged 16) from Cruit Island, Kincasslagh sang “Se Tu M’Ami” by Pergolesi and “Think of Me” from “Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Marie McGirr (aged 11) from Drumenny, Donegal Town performed “Cloche Des Matines Op. 109 no. 9” by J.F. Burgmuller and “Butterfly” by Edward Grieg on the piano.
Ceolan McMullin (aged 16) from Ballyshannon performed “Mazurka in C major OP. 67 no. 3” by Chopin and “Nálada OP.41 no. 139” by Fibich on the piano.
Ciaran Traynor (aged 12) from Ballybofey performed “When the Rain Song Begins” by Manfred Schwitz and “Tocatina” by Dmitri Kabalevsky on the piano.
Aoife Walsh (aged 15) from Glenmakee, Carndonagh performed “The Liberty Bell” by J. P. Sousa and “Call it a Day” by Pam Wedgwood” on the flute.
Jessica O’Brien (aged 17) from Drumcarbiutt, Malin sang “Think of Me” from “Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and “Behind These Hazel E.
Aoife Walsh (Carndonagh) and Jessica O’Brien (Malin), pictured receiving their High Achiever’s Awards from the Royal Irish Academy of Music at the Waterside Theatre, Derry on Sunday last, from Theresa Doyle, Local Centre Manager, Royal Irish Academy of Music (left) and Dr. Jennifer McCay, Chair of Senior Examiners, Royal Irish Academy of Music.
