Córfhéile is very lucky to have a panel of musical experts who have all excelled in their field to provide some encouragement and advice to all of the groups that take to the stage. The list below is just a sample of those kind Moltóirí Ceoil who give of their time freely and voluntarily for the sake of music education.
MOLTÓIRÍ CHEOIL SA TRÁTHNÓNA
Elizabeth O’Brien: only recently retired from her Deputy Principalship in Holy Faith N.S., The Coombe, where many top quality choirs went through her capable hands. Elizabeth is a music graduate of U.C.D. She lectured in the Music Dept. of Carysfort College of Education and has trained many Feis Cheoil singers. Elizabeth is Chairperson of the John McCormack Society, which keeps her extremely busy now that she is doing less teaching.
We have fond memories of Elizabeth’s late husband Oliver O’Brien who was Head of Music in Carysfort Co. of Ed. and gave generously of his time as Córfhéile Musical Advisor for many years.
Gabrielle McCann : Gabrielle began her studies in Queen’s University, Belfast and continued in University of Michigan. Gabrielle has put many of today’s music teachers though her capable hands. She lectured in Music and Music Education for many years in St. Mary’s University College, Belfast; in Carysfort College of Education, Dublin and, most recently, in Trinity College, Dublin. Gabrielle is highly regarded as a music educationalist both at home and internationally. She is also an accomplished pianist and accompanist. One of Corfhéile’s most steadfast supporters over the years.
Dr. Rhona Clarke is a Dublin-based composer. She studied music at University College, Dublin, and completed a Ph.D. at Queen’s University, Belfast. Her output includes choral, chamber, orchestral and electronic works. A lecturer in the music department at St. Patrick's College in Drumcondra (Dublin). Rhona has been involved in music education since 1980, as a second-level teacher (St Paul's Girls' School, Greenhills), also at primary level in Belfast.
Siobhán Keane: is a talented instrumentalist, chorister and music teacher. She has studied music in Dublin, Cork and New York. Siobhán has also presented papers at international Music Education conferences. Her varied career has included primary school teaching, music teaching and tutoring teachers in the music curriculum. She is currently doing extraordinary work teaching music in the area of special needs.
Anne Purcell has recently been appointed Principal of St. Mary’s N.S. Donnybrook and we wish her every success in her new position. Anne has been involved in music from an early age. She attended St. Louis in Rathmines and was a member of Cantairí Óga Ath Cliath for many years. Anne then went on to join the RTE Philharmonic Choir. She has been involved with the National Children's Choir since its formation and is now one of its Musical Directors. Anne is also one of the authors of the Folen's Music Books for Primary Schools - "The Right Note"
MOLTÓIRÍ CHEOIL AR MAIDIN
Breda O’Shea is a renowned music educator who studied in the Kodaly Institute in Hungary for many years. She spent some time as Music Officer at The Ark Cultural Centre in Temple Bar. Breda also lectured in Music Education in Marino College of Education and in Froebel College of Education. Technically retired, she is very busy with musical pursuits, including in her role as choral Director of the Ceiliúradh choir. We have fond memories of the marvellous choirs Breda brought to the Metropolitan Hall from her own school in Kilbarrack to sing at Córfhéile na Scoileanna... only a few years ago !!
Dr. Marion Doherty Hayden: Although Marion retired early from the Music Dept. in St. Patrick’s College of Ed. Drumcondra, she continued to keep active in Education by teaching a Diploma in Choral conducting as well as courses in Early Music in France, Germany, England and Ireland. She founded the highly regarded Enchiriadis Treis Choir in 1994 and played an important part in bring music to the Fingal area. She has had her own very successful Youth Choir in Malahide, which have competed in both national and international Choral Festivals.
Bernard Geary: is a Composer and also acts as Leaving Certificate Music Advisor to the Dept. of Education and Science. He examines for the Royal Irish Academy of Music and for the Co. Cork School of Music. Bernard’s choral work includes directing the Wicklow Male Voice Choir. He has been a loyal supporter of Córfhéile for many years.
Dr. Mary O’Flynn : is one of our leading music educationalists. Mary lectured in the Music Department of St. Patrick’s College Drumcondra and in Trinity College. She was also Musical Director of Cantairí Avondale for many years. We also have very fond memories of the brilliant choirs and music groups Mary brought to Córfhéile from her own school in Ballymun - Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, while she was teacher and Principal there.
MOLTÓIRÍ CHEOIL SA TRÁTHNÓNA
Elizabeth O’Brien: only recently retired from her Deputy Principalship in Holy Faith N.S., The Coombe, where many top quality choirs went through her capable hands. Elizabeth is a music graduate of U.C.D. She lectured in the Music Dept. of Carysfort College of Education and has trained many Feis Cheoil singers. Elizabeth is Chairperson of the John McCormack Society, which keeps her extremely busy now that she is doing less teaching.
We have fond memories of Elizabeth’s late husband Oliver O’Brien who was Head of Music in Carysfort Co. of Ed. and gave generously of his time as Córfhéile Musical Advisor for many years.
Gabrielle McCann : Gabrielle began her studies in Queen’s University, Belfast and continued in University of Michigan. Gabrielle has put many of today’s music teachers though her capable hands. She lectured in Music and Music Education for many years in St. Mary’s University College, Belfast; in Carysfort College of Education, Dublin and, most recently, in Trinity College, Dublin. Gabrielle is highly regarded as a music educationalist both at home and internationally. She is also an accomplished pianist and accompanist. One of Corfhéile’s most steadfast supporters over the years.
Dr. Rhona Clarke is a Dublin-based composer. She studied music at University College, Dublin, and completed a Ph.D. at Queen’s University, Belfast. Her output includes choral, chamber, orchestral and electronic works. A lecturer in the music department at St. Patrick's College in Drumcondra (Dublin). Rhona has been involved in music education since 1980, as a second-level teacher (St Paul's Girls' School, Greenhills), also at primary level in Belfast.
Siobhán Keane: is a talented instrumentalist, chorister and music teacher. She has studied music in Dublin, Cork and New York. Siobhán has also presented papers at international Music Education conferences. Her varied career has included primary school teaching, music teaching and tutoring teachers in the music curriculum. She is currently doing extraordinary work teaching music in the area of special needs.
Anne Purcell has recently been appointed Principal of St. Mary’s N.S. Donnybrook and we wish her every success in her new position. Anne has been involved in music from an early age. She attended St. Louis in Rathmines and was a member of Cantairí Óga Ath Cliath for many years. Anne then went on to join the RTE Philharmonic Choir. She has been involved with the National Children's Choir since its formation and is now one of its Musical Directors. Anne is also one of the authors of the Folen's Music Books for Primary Schools - "The Right Note"
MOLTÓIRÍ CHEOIL AR MAIDIN
Breda O’Shea is a renowned music educator who studied in the Kodaly Institute in Hungary for many years. She spent some time as Music Officer at The Ark Cultural Centre in Temple Bar. Breda also lectured in Music Education in Marino College of Education and in Froebel College of Education. Technically retired, she is very busy with musical pursuits, including in her role as choral Director of the Ceiliúradh choir. We have fond memories of the marvellous choirs Breda brought to the Metropolitan Hall from her own school in Kilbarrack to sing at Córfhéile na Scoileanna... only a few years ago !!
Dr. Marion Doherty Hayden: Although Marion retired early from the Music Dept. in St. Patrick’s College of Ed. Drumcondra, she continued to keep active in Education by teaching a Diploma in Choral conducting as well as courses in Early Music in France, Germany, England and Ireland. She founded the highly regarded Enchiriadis Treis Choir in 1994 and played an important part in bring music to the Fingal area. She has had her own very successful Youth Choir in Malahide, which have competed in both national and international Choral Festivals.
Bernard Geary: is a Composer and also acts as Leaving Certificate Music Advisor to the Dept. of Education and Science. He examines for the Royal Irish Academy of Music and for the Co. Cork School of Music. Bernard’s choral work includes directing the Wicklow Male Voice Choir. He has been a loyal supporter of Córfhéile for many years.
Dr. Mary O’Flynn : is one of our leading music educationalists. Mary lectured in the Music Department of St. Patrick’s College Drumcondra and in Trinity College. She was also Musical Director of Cantairí Avondale for many years. We also have very fond memories of the brilliant choirs and music groups Mary brought to Córfhéile from her own school in Ballymun - Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, while she was teacher and Principal there.
