Dear Reader - This letter’s summer break is over and it’s back to business!
The Big Thing
I’m currently in the middle of a 50-day challenge in which I am writing out 50 new songs for our piano tuition curriculum.
Already added are songs like Thriller, Fix You, Chiquitita, Titanium and Somewhere Over The Rainbow and there are lots more to come!
Sneak peek at the first few notes of our Level 3 version of The Parting Glass below.
Our series of summer lessons is underway but we are still enrolling for a 4-week block of lessons on Mondays and Thursdays in July so please get in touch if you are interested.
Where else but Sligo?
Before this letter took it’s summer break we were getting ready for the big showcase where we in the Theme Night Academy said goodbye to the class of 2026.
As you can see from this wonderful Steve Rogers photo below, we had a really special couple of nights in the Hawk’s Well. Full album on the Theme Night Academy Facebook page.
What a treat for us all to be joined by the Sligo Academy of Music Sinfionetta led by Niamh Crowley - I loved seeing the faces of some of our members when they heard the sound of the orchestra for the first time!
Our departing 6th Yrs showed the way with some mature and heartfelt performances, while the 4th and 5th Years gained some valuable experience while bringing so much fun to proceedings all the way through.
A huge thanks to the team who made it possible - to the band, the tech crew, our workshop facilitators, to Niamh and the orchestra - and especially to Mícheál Kearney and Éania McGarry who did so much all year round to give these teens the best possible experience.
Below are Elin Simeoni (left) and Karol Dynda (right) who performed a breathtaking version of Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.
What’s New?
Singer Patrick Quinn performed on Theme Nights #11, #12 and #15 with us many years ago now. I have stayed in touch with him since and he kindly alerted me recently to an amazing fundraiser for AutAid.
Until November 2025, Patrick had never run a single kilometre in his life. This October, at the age of 56, he will stand on the start line of Ironman Barcelona and attempt to complete one of the toughest endurance challenges on Earth.
You can find out more and donate if you wish here.
Finally…
The latest from our Coney Island Sessions - for any Olivia Dean fans out there - here is Anna Rose singing Loud.
Till next time - Kieran.
