Arklow Music and Arts present
PASSION
Enjoy Ireland’s newest exciting sound with
TENOR – ANTHONY NORTON VIOLIN – PATRICK COLLINS GUITAR – DRAJEN DEREK
“Everything that you want a live performance to be” – The Irish Independent
In the Woodenbridge Hotel, Vale of Avoca, Arklow, Co Wicklow 7.30pm with support acts Margaret Fitzgerald and Michael Stedman. Tickets €15 and available from Kenny’s of the Harbour Bar, Lower Main Street, Arklow, Kavanagh’s Wexford Road, Arklow and the Woodenbridge Hotel Reception. All proceeds towards the provision of a Music and Arts Centre in Arklow. This event is supported by Wicklow County Council Community Tourism Diaspora Initiative.
PASSIÓN brings together three of Ireland’s most renowned and entertaining performers – Anthony Norton (The Three Irish Tenors, La Scala, Opera Ireland), Patrick Collins (of the well-loved Café Orchestra) and Drazan Derek (virtuosic guitarist with the Café Orchestra and The Chieftains).
Together they deliver an exciting and passionate musical celebration of songs from Italy, France, Spain, Argentina and other continental favourites. Their dynamic performances are vibrant, atmospheric and engaging, promising high calibre entertainment and an event to remember.
TENOR ANTHONY NORTON
“blessed with a vocal instrument of exceptional strength, yet equally versed in carrying songs with a lightness that allows an audience to settle back in soft, dreamy comfort.” – The Chronical, Ontario
Anthony is one of Ireland’s most accomplished and versatile lyric tenors. As a solo artist and as one of the internationally acclaimed Three Irish Tenors he has toured America, Canada, Europe and as far afield as India, Taiwan, Japan and the Caribbean. He studied singing, piano, ‘cello and conducting at Trinity college of Music London before embarking on a career as a singer. He began his career with The Scottish Opera before moving to Teatro La Scala Di Milano, where he was resident for a number of years. His work as a soloist in opera, concert, oratorio and musical theatre has seen him perform in venues from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden to Carnegie Hall and Broadway. At home in Ireland he has performed with every major orchestra and ensemble, including RTE Symphony and Concert Orchestras, Opera Ireland, Wexford Festival Opera and numerous concert appearances with some of Ireland’s leading chamber musicians. Further to the operatic and classical repertoires he sings with the ensemble Passion who have notable success performing songs from French Cabaret, Tango and popular songs from Spain, Italy and South America.
MUSICIANS PATRICK COLLINS – Violin & DRAZEN DEREK – Guitar
“Everything that you want a live performance to be” – The Irish Independent
Patrick Collins founded Café Orchestra in the nineties. An Irish Band with an International agenda, they quickly became popular for their eclectic style and as purveyors of fine ambience and with a reputation for being one of the best live acts in Ireland.
Patrick Collins & Drazan Derek have made many appearances on television with Café Orchestra (The Late Late Show first brought them to the attention of the Irish public). The ensemble has toured extensively and has been a favourite for special occasions in the entertainment and business world.
Patrick Collins and Drazan Derek now bring the same versatility, talented musicianship and entertainment value to PASSIÓN.
With special Guest Artists supporting Passion: Margaret Fitzgerald and Michael Stedman
Margaret Fitzgerald:
Margaret Fitzgerald, a classical pianist from Arklow learned piano from the of four, under the direction of Sr. Agnes Cecelia, Arklow, and Dame Ruth Railton, who was a founder of The British Youth Orchestra. Margaret also studied in The College of Music in Dublin and The Royal Academy of Music, Dublin.
Beaumont Secondary School was where Margaret began teaching piano in her earlier years, before deciding to teach privately in her own home which she still continues to do. She has been involved in Musicals since 1984, where she took over the role of Chorus Mistress/Musical Director with Avonmore Musical Society for 17 years and recons that she has been involved in over 40 musicals in her lifetime including playing piano in the Orchestra also.
Margaret is much in demand as an accompanist, and is the Official Accompanist for the AIMS Choral Festival in New Ross, Co. Wexford. Since she was 13 years old Margaret started accompanying the St. Mary’s Choirs in Arklow and regularly accompanied them in Feis Cheoil in Dublin, Cork Choral Festival, Belgium and Llangollen in Wales. According to Margaret she has” accompanied everyone she knows that sings” over the years including Deirdre Masterson, Anthony Kearns and Ronan Tynan to name but a few.
Her biggest love is choirs and has been Musical Director of many choirs winning in many festivals in Ireland including Cork, Bangor and Llandudno. In Prague she has had the honour of conduction the massed choirs after winning two awards there. Margaret has also conducted the Hungarian Radio Children’s Choir and delighted to be playing at the Passion Concert on Friday 9th September.
Michael Stedman:
Hailing from Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow – Michael has studied Classical Guitar for over 8 years. Initially, under the tutelage of David Creevy, current principal of the County Wexford School of Music, and music theory under Dara Black and Catherine Noone.
He has performed in many venues between Wicklow and Dublin, including Cornucopia, the Tap Café, The Grainstore Restaurant, Aughrim, The Red Bank Wine Bar, Duke Street and St. Finian’s Church. Most recently, he performed his first solo concert in St. Saviour’s Church, Rathdrum which was greatly received and he was heard accompanying the DIT Chamber Choir in their annual Christmas Concert.
Michael is involved in numerous chamber and Jazz ensembles with whom he performed at weddings, Corporate Events and in recital settings He has worked with students who have Special Needs, largely through his association with the Williams Syndrome Association of Ireland Music Camp and has a keen interest in Music Therapy.
This is guaranteed to be a wonderful night of music and song and not to be missed, avoid disappointment and get your tickets now.
Despite small numbers on Friday night last, Arklow Music & Arts Group (AMA) had a great night in Kenny’s of The Harbour and managed to net €402 for their efforts. Many thanks to everyone who came out to support the Table Quiz, which proved to be great fun and very entertaining. A big thank you to Colm Kavanagh, who set the questions and acted as Quiz Master on the night, with a few curve ball questions thrown in for good measure. Questions were of a music nature, spanning many genres of music, and years. Thanks also to Karen Kavanagh who helped out correcting the score sheets and Yvonne Kenny with her spread sheet keeping everyone posted on the scores and leader board.
At the end of the night it was a tie, with sudden death, congratulations to the winning team and runner up, you were both great. Thanks to all the teams who took part and had great fun, and to Bri – Ann Green Finn, Olivia Molloy, Declan Kenny and Mary Mooty for sponsoring the prizes for the raffle and Kevin Jordan on sound. Thank you also to those who donated money for teams who could not make it on the night, it is all greatly appreciated. A very big thank you to Declan Kenny of The Harbour Bar for providing the venue for the fundraising event.
All proceeds of the night go towards providing a performance and arts centre for Arklow.
