Irish Institute of Music & Song podcast

Niall Murphy is one of the most talented fiddle players to have toured the world. He is a 5 time National Fiddle Champion, 3 time 'Fiddler of Oriel' and winner of 'Fiddler of Do'.  Niall has toured with many global talents such as Nathan Carter, Cara Dillon, Breaking Trad, Doolin, The Roots Revival and many more. Listen to his wonderful chat with Dónal about everything fiddle, and also many of his recordings throughout the podcast!

Paul is a writer, actor, musician and performer who plays George Washington in 'Hamilton: The Musical'. Listen to Dónal & Michael converse with Paul about his amazing piece of work, and also hear clips from the Musical run through! Paul was an Artist in Residence here at the IIMS along with Nikhil Saboo for six weeks at the start of the year.  Paul is an extremely talented and affable musician. We can't wait for you to listen to this special episode!

Cibele Sabioni is a music educator from Brazil, specialising in vocal & Choral music. She is a conductor and the creator of Coro Do Zero which translates to "Choir from Scratch". Coro Do Zero is a bilingual online search for choral practitioners.   Enjoy her conversation with Dónal where they discuss Cibele's fantastic work, especially since last March, and how she has been able to build her online following while working from home!

In episode 38 of the IIMS Podcast, Dónal speaks to Fiona Flynn of Fiona Flynn Performing Arts. Fiona continues to put life and soul into the music education of students around Newry.  Listen to her thoroughly interesting conversation with Dónal about her experience teaching music and she uses the power of music to bring her local community together.

In episode 37, we speak to Paul Oakley Stovall, who plays George Washington in the national touring cast of "Hamilton: An American Musical". Paul is also a critically-acclaimed writer for theatre, film and television.   Along with Nikhil Saboo (episode 36), Paul arrived at the Irish Institute of Music & Song as our very first Artist-in-Residence. During their stay here in Balbriggan, Nikhil is developing and workshopping his very own musical, entitled "CLEAR".   In his conversation here with Dónal and Michael, Paul discusses his experience playing George Washington as a black man to audiences across the USA, and his experience working with the Obama administration.

In episode 36, we chat to Nikhil Saboo, member of the original Broadway cast of "Mean Girls: The Musical" and Thomas Jefferson in the national touring cast of "Hamilton: An American Musical".   Nikhil arrived at the Irish Institute of Music & Song with Paul Oakley Stovall as our very first Artists in Residence! During their stay here in Balbriggan, Nikhil will be continuing to write his own music and focus in on his craft.   In his conversation here with Dónal in episode 36, he discusses how he found his way to the biggest stage on earth and how others may follow in his footsteps! Another IIMS podcast episode not to be missed!

The Irish Institute of Music & Song (IIMS) podcast hosts conversations with performers, academics and educators from all over the world. The podcast is curated by Dónal Kearney in Dublin, Ireland.   In episode 35, we chat to Evonne Ferguson, the director of the Contemporary Music Centre.   From DIY radio programmes and writing reviews of her favourite albums in secondary school, to her MPhil in music and media technologies, Evonne has always been passionate about music and radio. A passion which led her to joining Lyric FM in its infancy in 1999.   Evonne took all her wonderful experience from her six years as a producer at Lyric FM to running a successful music education service in Co. Donegal led by the local VEC.   Evonne took her position as the director in 2010, and has been doing fantastic work ever since. She is responsible for the strategic direction and the operational management of the organisation on a daily basis.   With both Lyric FM and CMC, she has continued to build audience for contemporary music and create a platform to support Irish composers.    Enjoy her conversation with Dónal where they chat everything music, to the experience of Irish composers in the current global situation.

The Irish Institute of Music & Song (IIMS) podcast hosts conversations with performers, academics and educators from all over the world. The podcast is curated by Dónal Kearney in Dublin, Ireland.   In the Song Series, we talk to songwriters, singers and song-lovers.   In episode 34, we speak to Suzanne Savage, a wonderfully talented songwriter, singer, violinist & band leader!   The Belfast native has been releasing music on her own and with her hugely talented band - The Savage Five. The quintet released a fantastic debut album 'Sleepwalking' in 2016.   Enjoy her conversation with Dónal where they explore her experiences as a growing musician and artist.

The Irish Institute of Music & Song (IIMS) podcast hosts conversations with performers, academics and educators from all over the world. The podcast is curated by Dónal Kearney in Dublin, Ireland.   In our Christmas Special, Dónal listens to a selection of festive virtual choir recordings created by the team at the Irish Institute of Music and Song this month.   The virtual choirs featured in this episode include EY Global Choir, Spanish Choir Ireland, DLA Piper Choir, Maynooth University Chamber Choir, Schola Cantorum and the Seminary Choir of Maynooth University and EY Ireland Choir.   You can watch all of these song in full on our YouTube channel at this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRGAEQNe6p5_ZpRllFNNtZw   Nollaig shona daoibh!

The Irish Institute of Music & Song (IIMS) podcast hosts conversations with performers, academics and educators from all over the world. The podcast is curated by Dónal Kearney in Dublin, Ireland.   In our IIMS Guest Artist series, we sit down with groups and performers who visit the Irish Institute of Music & Song campus in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin.   Our IIMS Guest Artist in episode 32 is Ellie & Paul Redmond.   Paul Redmond, Ellie's father, has been singing and composing for over 40 years. Ellie Redmond is a hugely talented musician and actress at the young age of 22! In this episode the pair chat to Dónal about their music filled lives and their newly composed piece 'A Ladies' Choice'.   Ellie also has a Christmas single 'His Sweet Baby Boy' which already has over 170k views on YouTube! You can check out HERE!

The Irish Institute of Music & Song (IIMS) podcast hosts conversations with performers, academics and educators from all over the world. The podcast is curated by Dónal Kearney in Dublin, Ireland.   In the Song Series, we talk to songwriters, singers and song-lovers.   In episode 31, we speak to Eimear McCarthy Luddy.   Eimear McCarthy Luddy is an Irish mezzo-soprano, singing teacher, and NCVS-trained Vocologist. She is the first person in Ireland to have completed this advanced voice science training at the National Centre for Voice and Speech in Salt Lake City.   In this episode Eimear chats to Michael & Dónal about vocology. They discuss its definition, its origin, its uses and much more!   If you have any interest in singing or vocal science, this is an episode not to be missed!

The Irish Institute of Music & Song (IIMS) podcast hosts conversations with performers, academics and educators from all over the world. The podcast is curated by Dónal Kearney in Dublin, Ireland.   In episode 30 Dónal chats to Cathal Murphy about choirs and wellness.   Cathal is the Director of Music at Clonard Monastery in Belfast. He is also part of the welfare team for the National Youth Choirs of Scotland, the National Youth Choirs of Northern Ireland and is founder director of Gaudeamus Chamber Choir from Newry. On top of this Cathal works as a Music and Irish teacher in County Down, and conducts the school choir which was signed up for the Fingal Festival of Voices 2020.

The Irish Institute of Music & Song (IIMS) podcast hosts conversations with performers, academics and educators from all over the world. The podcast is curated by Dónal Kearney in Dublin, Ireland.   In our IIMS Guest Artist series, we sit down with groups and performers who visit the Irish Institute of Music & Song campus in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin.   Our IIMS Guest Artist in episode 29 is Daniela Garsal, an upcoming singer-songwriter who is taking the Spanish music scene by storm!   Daniela Garsal (Daniela García Salazar) was born in Gran Canaria in 1999. She moved to Dublin at 4 years of age and has lived between the two ever since. Her key influences are Latin rhythms, soul, pop and r & b. Daniela has been releasing music on her channel since 2017.   Dónal and Daniela chat about her experiences of music growing up, how she began writing music, her favourite musical experiences so far and she breaks down her biggest tips for young & aspiring artists that are beginning their musical career!   Daniela recently visited the IIMS campus to shoot the video for her new single, which you can check out here!

The Irish Institute of Music & Song (IIMS) podcast hosts conversations with performers, academics and educators from all over the world. The podcast is curated by Dónal Kearney in Dublin, Ireland.   In the Song Series, we talk to songwriters, singers and song-lovers.   In episode 8, we speak to Sinéad Troy, the General Manager of IASCA & Yangaroo Music Ireland.   Sinéad has and continues to do fantastic work in promoting Irish songwriters, composers and lyricists in Ireland. Through her new project, PLAYIRISH, she is running an initiative to increase the amount of Irish music played on Irish radio! All in all Sinéad is a fantastic person who making a hugely positive effect of music in Ireland.   In this podcast Sinéad and Dónal cover multiple topics including the current state of the music industry, including the position of labels and social media.

The Irish Institute of Music & Song (IIMS) podcast hosts conversations with performers, academics and educators from all over the world. The podcast is curated by Dónal Kearney in Dublin, Ireland.   In Episode 25, Michael & Dónal had a sit down (virtually) with Dermot O'Callaghan - CEO of Sing Ireland. Dermot's career to date has also seen him work with Opera Theatre Company and Chamber Choir Ireland. He has worked as a choral and orchestral conductor, vocal and instrumental teacher and as a facilitator and holds a B.A., B.Mus. and M.A. in Arts Management. Dermot is a Vice-President of the European Choral Association-Europa Cantat.

The Irish Institute of Music & Song (IIMS) podcast hosts conversations with performers, academics and educators from all over the world. The podcast is curated by Dónal Kearney in Dublin, Ireland. In our IIMS Choral Series, we reach out to conductors and choral experts across the world to discuss repertoire, conducting and singing technique. In episode 24, we speak to internationally-acclaimed German conductor Jan Schumacher. This episode was produced in association with Sing Ireland. Jan Schumacher is Music director of the Goethe-University in Frankfurt as well as the conductor of Camerata Musica Limburg and the Choir of TU Darmstadt. Having received his degree in School Music and German from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Jan went on to study Conducting with Wolfgang Schäfer at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts. With his choirs, he builds extensive repertoires from Gregorian chants to world premieres, from symphonic orchestra to Big Band, and vocal or electronic improvisation. Jan teaches courses for choirs, orchestras and conductors across Europe, Iceland, Iran, Turkey, Argentina, Venezuela, and the USA. His role as Vice President of the European Choral Association - Europa Cantant enables him to intensify the exchange among singers, conductors, and composers further for the benefit of choir music.

Our first live music event since lockdown happened on Culture Night, September 18th. It was incredible to get to experience wonderful music filling every corner of the IIMS campus once again. Oh how we have missed it! In this episode, Dónal walks around the vibrant event chatting to the locals and performers who were enjoying every aspect of Culture Night.   

In the 22nd episode of the Irish Institute of Music & Song (IIMS) podcast, Dónal Kearney speaks to Michael T. Dawson, his joint CEO, to discuss how they have both had to adapt and overcome the challenges of getting their students back into lessons. Chatting at the end of week one of the new term, Dónal and Michael took time out of their busy schedule to give us a wonderful insight into the increasingly vibrant IIMS campus! For more about the Irish Institute of Music and Song, visit www.irishinstituteofmusic.com Don't forget to subscribe to the IIMS podcast!

    Bernie is the founder-conductor of the award-winning chamber choir New Dublin Voices, critically acclaimed for its innovative concert programming and its work in television, radio and recording. The choir has a strong record at Europe's leading competitions, recently winning first prize in the mixed choir competition at the 2018 Béla Bartók International Choir Competition in Hungary, and the Grand Prix at the 2017 International Baltic Sea Choir Competition in Latvia.     Bernie has recently been appointed conductor of the Irish Youth Choir and guest conductor to Euro Choir, which are meant to be visiting Ireland this Autumn.   The music in this podcast was performed by New Dublin Voices & conducted by Bernie Sherlock. In order: "Stars" by Esenvalds; "Angelus Domini Descendit" by Gabrieli; "Blackbird / I Will", arr. Rathbone; "Rhapsody in Mr. Blue Sky", arr. Mulvaney; "Snow Dance for the Dead" by Doherty; "Stetit Angelus" by Dubra.   This episode was produced in association with Sing Ireland.

  Subscribe at www.irishinstituteofmusic.com

In episode 19, we welcome Canadian conductor Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt onto the podcast for the second installation of the IIMS Choral Series. In our IIMS Choral Series, we reach out to conductors and choral experts across the world to discuss repertoire, conducting and singing technique.   Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt is the Director of Choral Programs at the University of Toronto whose research areas include leadership styles among conductors, and choral repertoire, particularly by Canadian composers. Dr Apfelstadt is an advisory board member for AIRS (Advanced Disciplinary Research in Singing), a project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. She is also a past National President of ACDA (American Choral Directors Association).   This episode includes ? pieces of music, all conducted by Dr Apfelstadt.   The opening and closing piece is "Ezekiel", arr. Stacey Gibbs, followed by "True Colours", arr. Saunder Choi. The third piece is "All of Us" from Considering Matthew Shepherd by Craig Hella.   For more information, visit www.irishinstituteofmusic.com

In the third episode of the IIMS Song Series, we speak to West End and Broadway star Fra Fee. We discuss his musical upbringing in County Tyrone, singing in Ulster Youth Choir, and training his voice classically. Fra also tells us how his appearance in Tom Hooper's 2012 blockbuster 'Les Miserables' changed the trajectory of his career. We also explore "belting" in the context of vocal training and the importance of "vocal rest". To find out what's happening at the Irish Institute of Music & Song this summer, visit www.irishinstituteofmusic.com

In episode 16, we spoke to Irish songwriter Lesley Roy in her Manhattan apartment where she has living in lockdown. Lesley is a songwriter and performer from Balbriggan, County Dublin. She has co-written with Katy Perry and two of her songs have appeared on hit reality TV show “The Hills”. In 2012, her co-write “Pop That Lock” featured on a chart-topping album in the USA, and her voice can be heard every time WWE wrestler Ember Moon enters the ring.   Lesley was also Ireland's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with her own song “Story of My Life”.   In this episode, Lesley tells us about her experience of writing with Katy Perry, touring her début album across the USA at the age of 21, and she explains the different songwriting approaches in LA and Nashville.   The songs featured in this episode were all written and co-written by Lesley. In order, they are: "Story of My Life" - Ireland's entry for Eurovision Song Contest 2020 "Here For You Now" from Unbeautiful LP (2008) "Slow Goodbye" from Unbeautiful LP (2008) "Gold" (2020) For more info on the Irish Institute of Music & Song, visit irishinstituteofmusic.com

In this first episode of the new IIMS Song Series, Dónal chats to songwriter Carl Corcoran.   With a career of performance and songwriting behind him, Carl's infamous radio programme "Blue of the Night" was the pride of RTÉ Lyric FM for ten years and won him many admirers among the music lovers who listened every night.   Since September 2017, he has acted as Course Director of the Master's in Songwriting at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick. In October 2019, he was invited to join the Board of Music Network, Ireland. Carl is a passionate advocate of the Arts in Ireland and is committed to supporting and promoting Irish artists at home and abroad.   During the conversation, Carl tells Dónal about his formative songwriting experiences and his relationship with major label EMI as a young "manufactured" artist, his life as a musician in America and his profound commitment to music in Ireland over the last decade.   Here are the songs featured in this episode: "To Feel The Power of Love - Live" (Corcoran), Covid Cave Creations (2020) Gulliver" (Stone/Corcoran) from New Day LP (1974) "I Believe in Love" (Stone/Abernethy) from Storyteller LP (1976) "Let It Shine" (Stone/Abernethy) from Let It Shine LP (1978) Whistling Wind (Corcoran/Taylor) from Dancing the Dublin Reel LP (1994)

Episode 14 is the second in the IIMS Guest Artist series, in which we speak to groups and performers who come along to visit the Irish Institute of Music & Song campus in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. Our IIMS Guest Artist in this episode is Providence Chorale from Providence School in Jacksonville, Florida. During their visit to Balbriggan in March, Dónal spoke to the director Jennifer Hudson and two of the young singers - Ricky and Haley - and Michael T. Dawson explained the Masterclass experience with this young American group. To find out more about the IIMS campus, visit www.irishinstituteofmusic.com

Episode 13 is the first in our series of IIMS Guest Artist episodes, where we speak to groups and performers who visit the Irish Institute of Music & Song campus in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. The very first of our IIMS Guest Artists was the prize-winning choir of Presentation Secondary School Kilkenny. In this episode, Dónal chats to the choir's conductor, Laura Carroll, and Head Girl, Rose. Michael T. Dawson also describes the Masterclass experience with this fine choir. To find out more about the IIMS campus, visit www.irishinstituteofmusic.com

In episode 12, Dónal speaks to English conductor Andrew Nunn, the Artistic Director of the National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland. They discuss Andrew's introduction to singing a bit later in life, coming into the choral world as an instrumentalist. They also chat about the impact of a conductor's gender on the choir and the process of mourning what we've lost in the wake of the 2020 pandemic. To find out about the new IIMS online conducting course with Michael T. Dawson, visit www.irishinstituteofmusic.com.

Our guest in Episode 11 is Amy Ryan, award-winning conductor, educator and performer based in Dublin. Amy is the Chair of the Kodály Society of Ireland.   In this episode, Amy chats to Dónal and Michael about the benefits of studying the Kodály approach to music-making, discusses the challenges of choral rehearsals during a global pandemic, and suggests some of the gaps left by the Leaving Certificate.   To find out about our newest online conducting course, visit www.irishinstituteofmusic.com/courses

In episode 10, Dónal speaks to Eoin Conway about wearing a lot of hats.   Have you ever wondered how musicians are supposed to juggle all the different aspects of the job? It can be exhausting trying to get by in the music world while still making sure you can pay the rent.   Eoin Conway has built a diverse international career as an educator, performer and arranger, and he shares some wisdom from his eclectic performance career in the worlds of opera, barbershop and choral music.   Eoin also describes his creative process as an arranger. During this episode, he talks us through his approach to arranging traditional Irish ballad "Molly Malone", and how he feels certain harmonies evoke particular emotional responses.

In episode 9, Dónal speaks to Sebastian Adams about surviving as a young composer in Ireland. Sebastian Adams is an experimental composer, viola player and Director of critically-acclaimed Kirkos Ensemble. He is Coordinator of the Association of Irish Composers and is the former Chair of the Irish Composers Collective. During the conversation, Sebastian talks about his own creative process, how to wear as many hats as possible, and confronting the daily question: what exactly does an Irish composer do? Sebastian also discusses the experience of fronting a band as an ambitious teenager amid aspirations to write the next Bohemian Rhapsody, and the importance of making mistakes at a young age. To find out more about our upcoming IIMS Choral series and IIMS Song series, make sure to subscribe! https://www.irishinstituteofmusic.com/podcast

In episode 8, Dónal speaks to Toner Quinn about the story of music in Ireland over the past two decades. Toner founded the Journal of Music in 2000. Since then, the Journal of Music has been setting the tone for public discussion about music in Ireland. In this episode, Toner speaks about the challenges for musicians coming down the line, the joys of learning fiddle from great teachers, and the profound impact of inheriting a lifetime supply of vinyl from his aunt. Toner is a music writer, a fiddle player, and a lecturer in publishing at NUI Galway. To find out more about our upcoming IIMS Choral series and IIMS Song series, please subscribe to this podcast. https://www.irishinstituteofmusic.com/podcast

In episode 7 of the IIMS podcast, Dónal speaks to Megan Dalen. Megan majored in Music at California State University and specialised in Education. They speak about Megan's belief in the importance of discipline in music education, what makes a bad conductor, and Megan compares the camaraderie of a successful music ensemble with the ethic of the best sports teams. Subscribe to this podcast for all the latest learnings in music education from around the world.

In episode 6, Dónal and Michael talk about how their nature of their work has changed in recent weeks. They compare various European governments' support for artists in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and they discuss the phenomenon of online learning - including research by American Professor Lynn Helding - and its impact on students and music teachers alike. If you are a music educator, please share your own experiences at info@irishinstituteofmusic.com.

In Episode 5 of the Irish Institute of Music and Song podcast, Dónal chats to Philippe Ostiguy, Artistic Director of Canadian choral programme, Les Petits Chanteurs de Laval. During a fascinating conversation, they speak about the specific challenges of leading a boys choir, the actual age of a "youth choir", and the importance of having fun in music education!

On St Patrick's Day 2020, the Directors of Irish Institute of Music and Song, Dónal Kearney and Michael T. Dawson sit down to tell the story of the cancellation of the inaugural Fingal International Festival of Voices due to public health concerns surrounding the outbreak of Covid-19. They also speak about the inevitable cultural impact on musicians and teachers across the world in years to come.

Dónal sits down with Rebecca Gilbert of the Irish Institute of Music & Song. Rebecca Gilbert is Director of Operations for Fingal International Festival of Voices (FIFOV). She has played a vital role in setting up the festival in its inaugural year, and talks about the various phases of the process. She also discusses her passion for barbershop singing and her previous careers in medicine and insurance. To find out more about FIFOV, visit www.fingalfestivalofvoices.com

In Episode 2 of the Irish Institute of Music & Song podcast, Dónal Kearney chats to two very important people who run Fingal Academy of Music. Sarah May Rogers speaks to Dónal about the award-winning Cadence Music - based in Balbriggan - which delivers music tuition, workshops and does functions, weddings and studio production. However, music wasn't her first career... Lea Försterling is Academy Manager and chats to Dónal about what it's like running a music school, hosting concerts, and falling in love with Ireland. Fingal Academy of Music delivers music tuition to over 1,200 students every week in a variety of instruments.

In the very first episode of the Irish Institute of Music and Song (IIMS) podcast, Dónal Kearney speaks to Michael T. Dawson, Artistic Director of the Fingal International Festival of Voices to discuss the origins of the festival. Chatting just four weeks before the inaugural festival opening, Dónal and Michael took time out of their hectic preparations to discuss the concept behind the festival and how it became a reality. Fingal International Festival of Voices takes place 12-15 March 2020 in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. Full details on the festival here: www.fingalfestivalofvoices.com For more about the Irish Institute of Music and Song, visit www.irishinstituteofmusic.com And don't forget to subscribe to the IIMS podcast!