NI concert pianist, Cahal Masterson, inspires Fermanagh students with masterclass

On Wednesday morning the 30th October Cahal Masterson, after an exciting and delightful piano recital in St Macartin’s Cathedral the night before, was again in action the following morning providing masterclasses to seven lucky pupils from secondary schools in Enniskillen.

Music in Fermanagh, who organised the events, wish to thank Miss Armstrong, Enniskillen Royal Grammar School and Dean Hall, St Macartin’s Cathedral, for allowing them to use their premises. Thanks are also due to FODC whose support led to an excellent and worthwhile opportunity for music students of Fermanagh to improve their piano skills and to extend their knowledge of repertoire.

Photographed: Cahal Masterson with student Katie O'Hare

Primary School Workshop with NI soprano Rebekah Coffey

The workshop on singing for pupils aged between 8 and 11 year olds was led by soprano, Rebekah Coffey at The Model School,  Enniskillen on March 24th  from 11.15am -12.45pm. There were 22 pupils from 3 different schools involved namely, the Model, The Erne Integrated and Jones Memorial Primary School, accompanied by their teachers who stayed for the workshop. Joanna McVey and Evelyn Hassard, both Members of the MiF committee also attended.

Rebekah demonstrated how body language and facial expressions and the actual music itself can convey the meaning of the story even if the language is not known. Pupils then had to create their own interpretations of different emotions and scenarios with pupils having to guess what they were trying to convey.

The 22 pupils were encouraged to take part by the teacher in charge of music in each school so there was a lot of enthusiasm, a good atmosphere and a willingness to take part. They were a lively and attentive group who thoroughly enjoyed the activities which were very varied and involved using their voices, their imagination, and lots of movement around the room. The pupils also had to make comments, work in groups, produce their own ideas, follow one another using the space. Rebekah made them so interested in what she was doing that they opened up, and were singing and acting with abandon.

Towards the end of the session they learned a round (Viva la Musica) and were really making progress with their listening and voice skills!

The teachers present felt inspired by Rebekah! They themselves learned a lot and been given ideas about voice production, group work and how to encourage the pupils to open up their voices.