By Sean Ryan - 28 April, 2017
Hundreds of post primary students from schools all over the Archdiocese of Cashel & Emly attended an inaugural liturgical music event in Co. Tipperary this week.
Seinn Cashel and Emly aims to promote liturgical music in second level schools as well as in parishes throughout the diocese. It involves students learning and performing a programme of liturgical music to expand their liturgical music repertoire.
On Thursday 27 April, 600 students from 10 post primary schools throughout the archdiocese performed at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Thurles. The event was the first time ever that such a programme was staged in the archdiocese, and builds upon the success of similar ventures, including Emmanuel in Dublin and Seinn in Killaloe and Limerick.
The schools involved in the project included Cashel Community School, Presentation Secondary School, Thurles, C.B.S. Secondary School, Thurles, Ursuline Secondary School, Thurles, Our Lady’s Secondary School, Templemore, St Ailbe’s Secondary School, Tipperary, St Anne’s Secondary School, Tipperary, St Mary’s Secondary School, Newport, St John the Baptist Community School, Hospital and Presentation Secondary School, Ballingarry.
One of the advantages of this programme is that it offers students and teachers a liturgical music repertoire. However, more importantly, it involves students getting involved in a shared musical experience and bringing faith to life. Over the past number of months, the students have been practising in their own schools.
Yesterday the students came together to attend a lively workshop on the theme of ‘Where do I belong?’, facilitated by Eric Hughes of Scripture Union Ireland, and also to rehearse the music for the concert.
Ian Callanan served as the music director for Seinn Cashel and Emly, and has been instrumental in bringing the project to fruition. A renowned composer and arranger of music, he conducted the orchestra and chorus.
Mr Callanan is no stranger to liturgical music events in Co. Tipperary and has also headed up the Music Ministry Together (MMT) five-day summer school held at Cistercian College Roscrea for youth and adult leaders who have a passion for liturgical music and the desire to serve as ministers in their parishes, schools and communities. He has also directed Seinn in Limerick and Killaloe.