The Arts in Blackrock College

In the Blackrock understanding of education, the human and the divine are inseperable. Art, Music, Drama, Public Speaking, Dancing, Stage Management; creativity at every level, are the important areas of preparation for full Christian lives in the wider community. Since the foundation of the College, these activities have formed an integral part of education provision in Blackrock College.

In the last decade there have been two yearly operas (one in Willow Park and one in Blackrock). In addition to the many concerts and artistic activities, the two schools have joined yearly in a combined Leman Festival Concert in the National Concert Hall.

Whereas the "Willow Band" has been flourishing for over a quarter of a century, the College Orchestra is more recent, but is growing in strength from year to year. Added to the music programme in the school for the Government Examinations, individual lessons in a wide variety of instruments are available to all.

The new Schola Cantorum supplements the choral activities in the school, and enhances the liturgical programme. In the spoken word, hundreds have very successfully taken Public Speaking examinations, while others represent Ireland annually in the European Youth Parliament.

It is heartening to see so many following in the footsteps of the very great number of alumni who are deeply involved in every aspect of music and the arts in Ireland and abroad.

A new and most welcome addition to the onward march of the Arts is our joining with Mount Anville School in both the opera and the orchestra. Their contribution has been a most positive feature in our common search for excellence.

We are proud of our "Artistic Team" in the College. Their pursuit of excellence, competence and creative insight richly enhances our lives.

The Leman Concert

The Leman Festival Concert took place this year on January 23rd in the National Concert Hall. The concert was held in honour of St. Therese of Lisieux. The programme featured a wide variety of acts, from orchestra and choir to rock bands to classical soloists. The occasion proved once more to be a highlight of the year for the students and staff of the college.

The Drama and Musical Society

For one hundred and thirty six years, Blackrock College has maintained its traditions of concerts, opera and plays as integral to its wider curriculum. For the last six years, the College has produced modern musicals, all of which have been directed by Mr. Toirleac O'Brien, Head of Drama in the College. After co-writing "Yesterdays" in 1993, Mr. Tom Ryan has produced the Musicals since then. Previous productions have been:

• 1991 Jesus Christ Superstar (Webber and Rice)
• 1992 Godspell (Schwartz)
• 1993 Yesterdays (O'Brien/Ryan)
• 1994 West Side Story (Lavents/Bernstein/Sondheim)
• 1995 Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (Webber and Rice)
• 1996 Fiddler on the Roof (Bock/Harnick/Stein)