FATHER FRANK MAHER MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP 2012 RULES

The Father Frank Maher Music Scholarship, now in its 8^th year is sponsored annually by “Top Security” in memory of the late Father Frank Maher, a Teacher at Castleknock College from 1959-1998.

The Scholarship’s aim is to promote musical life, assist cultural exchange and promote young and talented musicians.  For four years the Scholarship was open only to Castleknock College who are the hosting school for the competition.  Top Security developed the Scholarship over a number of years and it was opened up to a wider community of schools in the Dublin area in 2005.  This year the Scholarship will be open to all Post Primary Schools in Ireland.   

Scholarship Competition 2012

The Scholarship Competition is open to sixth year students attending any Post Primary School in Ireland. From the applications received an independent Board of Adjudicators will decide and select the “Finalists” to attend and perform in front of an invited audience. Closing date for applications is Friday 5th October 2012.

Date and Venue

The Scholarship Competition will be held at Castleknock College, Dublin 15, time and date to be confirmed.     

Bursary

A Bursary of Two Thousand Euro will be awarded to the Winner.  A Bursary of One Hundred and Fifty Euros will be awarded to each of the other “Finalists”.  

• The competition is open to 6^th year students for Strings, Woodwind & Brass, and Piano only.
• A classical programme only may be entered for consideration to the competition.
• Own compositions not acceptable.   
• The competition is open to all Post Primary Schools in Ireland.
• Applicants are required to complete the Scholarship Application Form, which must be returned on or before Friday 5th October 2012 to, Helene Devlin, Group Marketing, Top Security, Westgate House, Westgate Business Park, Ballymount, Dublin 24.
• Applications must be accompanied by a Tape Recording/CD (Not Mini Disc) of one piece for consideration and must not exceed 10 minutes duration in total.  Professional studio recordings are not acceptable. 
• One passport sized photograph to be attached to the completed application form.
• The Adjudicators in their absolute discretion shall select from the entries submitted applicants to participate in the competition.
• Competitors will be informed by Top Security as to their selection or otherwise.  The competition will be held Date To Be Confirmed, before an invited audience.
• Each finalist will be entitled to 10 complimentary tickets for family and friends to attend the Scholarship Competition.
• Candidates must supply their own accompanist.
• Each applicant agrees to abide by the rules of the competition and to accept the decision of the Adjudicators.
• Students performing will be required to wear their school uniform.
• On the Scholarship Competition night each competitor will perform two contrasting pieces not to exceed 10 minutes duration in total.
• The bursary will be retained by Top Security and may be used by the Scholarship Winner for attendance at a recognised place of tuition, a course of study (in Ireland or abroad), or on a purchase deemed necessary to assist in the development of their talent.  The bursary must be used by the Scholarship Winner within 12 months of being awarded.
• The other Finalists will be awarded their One Hundred and Fifty Euros on the Scholarship Competition night.

Talented South Dublin Student Wins Top Security’s Annual
Classical Music Competition

Wednesday 23rd April  2008

Kevin O’Hara, from St. Mac Dara’s Community College in Templeogue, has won the top prize of €2,000 at the 8th Annual Father Frank Maher Music Scholarship competition held in Castleknock College last night.  Sponsored and organised by Top Security, the event is held in memory of Fr. Frank Maher, a former music teacher at Castleknock College.   The competition is one of the country’s largest classical music scholarships open to post primary, secondary, vocational and community comprehensive schools in Dublin and is designed to showcase outstanding sixth year classical musical students and to promote musical life and cultural exchanges.

After a performance in front of an invited audience and facing stiff competition from his peers, Kevin won the 2008 classical music competition for his beautiful French horn performance of Mozart’s ‘Horn Concerto No. 3’ followed by Bossa’s ‘En Foret’.  The prestigious judging panel included Gabrielle McCann, Head of Music, School of Education, Trinity College Dublin and Gerard Gillen, Professor Emeritus in Music at the National University of Ireland

George McDonald, General Manager of Top Security opened the event saying: “Music is an amazing celebration of life and it was Father Frank Maher’s passionate love of music that encouraged Top Security to support this annual event.  We want to acknowledge the work of music teachers past and present”.

The bursary of €2,000 awarded to the winner may be used for attendance at a recognised place of tuition, a course of study in Ireland or abroad, or on a purchase deemed necessary to assist in the development of their talent.  Each of the other finalists received an award of €150.

"I’m still in a state of shock!" said Kevin on being awarded the scholarship “I’ve been offered a place at London’s Guild Hall later this year, so I’m very grateful for the money which will go towards my fees”. 

Last night the finalists showcased their talents by playing two contrasting pieces using a range of instruments. Along with Kevin, the other finalists were:

Alicia Foley - Violin
St. Andrew’s College, Blackrock, Co. Dublin

Yui Fujita - Piano
Alexandra College, Milltown, Dublin

Neasa Ní Bhriain - Violin
Coláiste Íosagáin, Booterstown, Co. Dublin

Gabrielle McCann, Head of Music, the School of Education, Trinity College, said, “The standard of music played in this competition is rising steadily year-on-year.  These students are a credit to their teachers and their schools”.

The night’s proceedings also included a special piano performance from last year’s winner, Robert Farhat from The High School in Rathgar who thanked Top Security for the wonderful opportunity to spend the year studying at the Royal Irish College of Music, which his scholarship afforded him.