GONZAGA COLLEGE SJ ARCHIVE

See latest music news here

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Feis Ceoil 2022

Congratulations to Joe O'Grady (4D) who won three senior piano competitions at the Feis Ceoil 2022: the Huban Cup, the Nordell Cup, and the biggest senior cup - The Morris Grant Bursary Cup. Joe also came second in the Anthony Glavin Cup. The Morris Grant Bursary is a prize of €2,500 for the purpose of further musical study, and a Silver Cup tenable for one year.

Nicholas O’Neill in 6D won the Junior Vocal Recital at the Feis Ceoil 2022.

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Wesley Interschools Music Festival

The Interschools Music Festival 2022 took place in Wesley College on 4 and 5 March. Gonzaga entered four groups into the competition. The Choir came first in the Boys’ 3 and 4 Part Choir competition, winning the Frank Hughes Cup; the Chamber Group took First Class Honours in the Chamber Music O15 competition, and the Trad Group came third in the Traditional Bands O15 competition. The Orchestra also took part and played brilliantly, but were unlucky this year. Congratulations to Ms O’Brien and to all the students who worked so hard to prepare for this competition. They were allpresented with music ties in recognition of their achievements.

Thanks to Mr Earley for the photos.

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5th Year Musical 2022: Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat

Very well done to everyone involved 'Joseph'. Thank you to Ms Dunne, Ms McCarthy and Ms McKay, to the cast and musicians, to the stage managers, backstage crew, front of house team, and to all the others who assisted in numerous ways. Special thanks to the Principal, students and parents of Dominican College, Muckross Park, for being so generous in their support. Well done to all on a successful, polished and enjoyable show that was produced in very difficult circumstances.

Photos by Mr Earley. See our Flickr page for more.

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Christmas 2021

Due to ongoing restrictions we could not hold our traditional Christmas Concert, Carol Service, or Midnight Mass this year, so instead we recorded two musical videos for you to enjoy at home. See Carols from the Chapel here, and the virtual Festive Fling concert here. Thanks to the students and staff for delivering and recording these performance again this year. Especially to Ms Rosemary O'Brien and Ms Aoife Dunne from the Music Department.

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Top Security Frank Maher Classical Music Awards

Stan O’Beirne is the winner of the Top Security Frank Maher inter-school national music competition 2021. He, along with the five other finalists, was selected from across Ireland to perform live in the final on Friday 29 October in The Mill Theatre, Dundrum. Stan receives a €5000 bursary towards his music studies.

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5th Year Musical 2020: Grease

Gonzaga College SJ proudly presents GREASE School edition
A musical performed by the students of 5th Year
Venue: The Coulson Theatre, Gonzaga College SJ
Dates: January 15, 16 & 17. 7.30pm
Tickets: Adults €12, Students €7

See photos of the show here.

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Festive Fling 2019

Thank you and congratulations to all the performers and organisers of the wonderful Festive Fling concert on Tuesday 12 December. The event raised €2380 for Our Lady's Hospice and Care Services. 

See photos of the event here.

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Brennan Cup 2019

Congratulations to Joe O’Grady (1A), winner of the Brennan Cup Music Competition 2019.  
Congratulations to all competitors and guest performers.

Results

1st    Joe O’Grady                  (1A)    Piano
2nd   Henry Li                        (3D)   Violin
3rd    Donncha McDonagh    (6B)   Bass
4th    Johnny Blake               (1D)   Violin

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See photographs here.

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5th Year Musical 2019: South Pacific

The class of 2020 put on a superb production of South Pacific in January 2019. See photos of the show here.

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Festive Fling 2018

Well done and thank you to all the Festive Fling organisers and performers for a fantastic concert on Thursday 13th December. With a wonderful array of musical talent and all proceeds going to Blackrock Hospice, it was a very special evening. Special thanks to our guests the Ranelagh Singers and the Trinitones. Great work from Ms O'Brien, Mr Earley and the TY students. See photos here.

 

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Brennan Cup 2018

Congratulations to Stan O'Beirne (S2B), who won first prize at the 2018 Brennan Cup, which took place on Thursday 3rd May. Second place went to Henri Li (S2D) and third to Patrick Murphy (S6C). The other finalists were Cian Fahy (S4B), Rory O'Kennedy (S5C), and Andrew Meagher (S6C).  Well done and thank you to all six finalists and three guest performers for a fantastic evening of music. It was a very fitting tribute to the late Fr Brennan and a celebration of his legacy. Many thanks to organisers Ms O'Brien and Ms Dunne, compère Dr Clark, adjudicators Finghin Collins and Simon Morgan, technical director Henry Cahill, and to Ross Brennan, nephew of Fr Joe, who presented the prizes. See more photos of the evening here. (Photos by Louis Stewart).

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5th Year Musical 2018: My Fair Lady

Well done to everyone involved in this year's wonderful musical, My Fair Lady. Photographs of the show can be seen here.

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Festive Fling 2017

Organised by Ms O’Brien, Mr Earley and a committee of TY students, the Festive Fling concert took place in the college Chapel on Thursday 14th December. All proceeds (over €3600!) went to Blackrock Hospice.

Performers were:

Senior Choir, Guitar Ensemble, Schola Cantorum, Michael Carey, Trad Group, Stan O’Beirne, The Ranelagh Singers, Habemus, Recorder Consort, Staff Choir, Chamber Group, Nicholas O’Neill and Stan O’Beirne, and the Gonzaga College Orchestra

The concert ended with the audience joining the Orchestra for a heartfelt rendition of Hark, the Herald Angels Sing! See photos here.

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Brennan Cup 2017

The final of the Brennan Cup Music Competition took place on Thursday 4th May at 7.30 pm in the Coulson Theatre. Well done and thank you to the organisers, judges and competitors for a beautiful and uplifting evening of music. The six finalists were:

 

Cian Fahy (3D) Piano

Stephen Herlihy (6B) Classical Guitar

Stan O'Beirne (1B) Piano

Henry Li (1B) Violin

Patrick Murphy (5C) Piano

Jack Doherty (6C) Tuba

 

They all performed wonderfully and judges Fr Brennan and Dr Clark faced a very difficult task in picking the winners. In the end third place was awarded to Cian Fahy, second place to Stan O'Beirne and the Cup went to Stephen Herlihy. Thank you to Ms O'Brien and to Ms Dunne for organising.

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Spring Fling Concert 2017

Very well done to the TY students, Ms O'Brien and Mr Earley on a fantastic concert on Wed 15th Feb. The programme included performances from a variety of Gonzaga choirs and music groups as well as special guests the Blown Identity and the Ranelagh Singers. Thanks to all the performers and to the organising committee for a most entertaining evening. All proceeds went to Blackrock Hospice. See Louis Stewart's photographs of the event here.

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5th Year Musical 2017: The Pirates of Penzance

Gonzaga College Fifth Year students, in assocation with Fifth Year students from Muckross Park College, presented The Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert & Sullivan. The musical took place in the Coulson Theatre at 7:30pm on January 18th, 19th & 20th 2017. See photographs from the fantastic show here.

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​Fifth Year Musical 2016: Guys & Dolls

Played In the Coulson Theatre under the direction of Ms Aoife Dunne in January 2016. Stage design was by Ms Siobhan Keogh.

Photographs of the Musical are available to view by clicking here. 5th year students from Muckross combined with those of Gonzaga to produce a very entertaining show that played to full houses for three night in mid January. A huge cast delighted audiences with their dancing, singing and acting talent, and the photographs capture some of the enjoyment they had in doing so.

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The Brennan Cup 2016

 

 

This year the winner was David Blake from 1st year. Congrats to all the finalists and thanks to Fr Brennan, Ms O'Brien and all others involved. 

The 2016 finalists were: Cian Fahy; John Appleby; Jack Doherty; Max O'Neill; Stephen Herlihy; David Blake; Patrick Murphy

Photos taken by Louis Stewart (4D) may be viewed here.
 

 

 

Schola Cantorum Gonzaga College

​The Schola Cantorum of Gonzaga College is selected from the 6th year students in the school. The potential members are auditioned in the final two weeks of the previous academic year, & start rehearsals in the first week back in the new academic year. There are rehearsals three times a week: sectionals take place during lunchtimes twice a week, and a full rehearsal takes place on Friday afternoons after school. Extra rehearsals are added before and after school on an ad hoc basis when needed. The “schola” has been so busy this year that this has become the norm rather than the exception, with the boys rehearsing before school nearly everyday of the week. They have already been recorded for, and entered into, two competitions. They have performed in two concerts, and are currently getting ready for the school’s Christmas carol services and Christmas Eve Vigil. 
 

Schola Cantorum was originally set up so the school would have a small choral ensemble out of which the cantors for the various school services throughout the academic year would be chosen.  During these services the group would also sing one or two a cappella chamber pieces, as well as singing in the larger school choir. In 2007, Ms. Aoife Dunne was appointed Director of Schola Cantorum. Ms Dunne comes from a strong choral background herself, having been a full time member of the National Chamber Choir of Ireland for 5 years. Since Ms. Dunne’s appointment the function and size ofSchola Cantorum has grown.                

The members of “Schola” continue to perform at the various mass services in the college, but now as well as sacred music, they also perform secular pieces; performing at school functions & events, to raise funds for the various school-sponsored charities, in various events within the local community, in competitions and concerts. 
 

Schola Cantorum is a very rewarding and worthwhile activity for all involved, and continues to go from strength to strength because of the dedication and talent of the boys.

 

SCHOLA CANTORUM 2013 were chosen as finalists for the RTE Lyric FM “Choirs for Christmas” competition. They performed on “Niall Carroll’s Classical Daytime” radio show on Wed 19 December 2012.

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Zagapalooza

The annual Battle of the Bands usually takes place in the summer term. See this page for recent results and photos.

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