MUCH more than Irish luck has launched these seven high school students into the world of professional Celtic music.
The Villanova Irish Ensemble from Villanova College, Coorparoo, has been rehearsing weekly for more than a year – its members so committed they’ve adopted traditional attire and have plans to record an album.
After performing a 30-minute set with the Queensland Pops Orchestra on May 17, they are now preparing two 45-minute sets for the National Celtic Festival in Portarlington, Victoria, where they will play over this June long weekend.
Villanova director of music Peter Morris said he decided to form the group after hearing a college music teacher Belinda Ford was also a professional Irish flautist who frequently toured Australia with her band.
“I suggested we tap into her strengths and create an Irish ensemble,” he said.
“It also gives a more contemporary outlet for boys that play the violin and flute, which are traditionally classical instruments.”
The group received gold in the 2007 Queensland Catholic Schools’ and Colleges’ Music Festival, where Queensland Pops Orchestra director Barrie Gott was adjudicating.
“After they played he said they were fantastic and asked them to perform in the ‘Pride of the Celtics’ concert this year,” Mr Morris said.
“He said they would just need to work on their stage presence.”
The ensemble’s fiddle player Ben Adkins was confident on the night, though his mum had some concerns.
“She was worried my nerves would get the better of me wearing a skirt in front of thousands of people,” he said.
But a series of emails to Villanova the next day said the ensemble “stole the show and were the ‘highlight of the concert'”.
“They were very relaxed and they interacted well with the audience; they looked so much more professional than a student group should,” Mr Morris said.
“It was a really good positive experience for them, but they’re still on a learning curve.”
The group’s instruments consist of electric base, acoustic guitar, percussion, violins and a flute.
“They have some very traditional sounding Irish stuff to some really contemporary stuff that’s a lot heavier and a bit rockier but still Irish based,” Mr Morris said.
While “loving” the music, Ben said he most enjoyed the group’s laid-back approach.
“The sense of humour the group has is just jokes all round, which is what makes us want to learn and like it so much,” he said.
Ben also thought their teacher Ms Ford’s constant “pearls of wisdom” had contributed to their motivation and success.
Villanova College is hoping to continue its Irish ensemble for years to come by creating a junior, middle and senior group.
