College of Music celebrates 35 years with special night of performances
Majella Swan of Carlow College of Music with former students Natalia Connolly (oboe), Gillian Daly (piano) and Eva Kavanagh (soprano) and current students Victor and Eva Bogdan
WHEN Majella Swan set up her very own music college 35 years ago, she picked the motto ‘Providing music for life’ – and how true that turned out to be. The school marked the anniversary with a special one-off concert in Cobden Hall at Carlow College as part of the bilingual festival Féile an Fhómhair.
Majella was joined by past pupils, teachers, parents and other avid supporters of her work with generations of musicians.
The programme was varied, with a mixture of oboe by Natalia Connolly and songs by Eva Kavanagh, who was accompanied by Gillian Daly on piano.
The encore was a rendition of and , which went down a treat. Eva’s last song by Franz Lehár really captured the audience.
Majella said: “Thank you to the audience for being with CCM to celebrate 35 incredible years. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or this is your very first concert, your energy, your support and your presence mean the world.
“35 years – it’s hard to put into words what that truly means. It’s been a journey filled with passion, hard work and unforgettable memories.
“A special thanks to Bride de Róiste for supporting us with this concert as part of Féile an Fhómhair, and to Fr Conn Ó Maoldhomhnaigh and all at Carlow College for the beautiful setting of Cobden Hall.
“Thanks to Carlow Choral Society for the use of the grand piano, to Stephen Harland for all his help and support, to Philippa Jennings our office administrator for all her endless work, to Daniela Bogdan for the beautiful dried floral displays.
“Thank you to our two young musicians, Eva and Victor Bogdan, who played a piano duet.”
Added to the pleasure was the fact that €420 was raised in donations for the Éist Cancer Support Centre.
The concert is one of a series of Carlow College of Music’s birthday celebrations. The next one will be a Christmas concert on 7t December in St Mary’s Church, Castle Hill at 4pm.
