St. Columb's School of Music

August 17, 2019

Louis and Nicky were delighted to accompany the BBC Northern Ireland Senior School Choir of the Year, Thornhill College, who were invited to perform at the opening concert of the 2019 Charles Wood Festival and Summer School. Thornhill performed for half an hour alongside Martin Baker, organist royalty and Master of Music at Westminster Cathedral London. It was a pleasure for Louis and Nicky to return to Armagh for the Charles Wood Festival, having done so as boy choristers between 2001-2004.

August 11, 2019

We welcome our three new tutors to the school - Diarmuid and Padraig O'Kane and Dermot O'Donnell join the ranks as woodwind and string teachers, as well as being competent piano teachers as well!

May 31, 2019

St. Columb's School of Music have secured their new building! Number 1 St. Columb's Court is one of the most unspoilt Georgian Buildings inside the city walls, and the 3 floor interior has been transformed into a unique music school to open officially in September 2019. 

May 17, 2019

It was a busy year for our director Nicky Morton, who was guest accompanist alongside the Ulster Orchestra, as he performed the organ continuo part for Handel's Messiah, with the Altnagelvin Hospital Choir, under the direction of Dr. Derek Collins, in the Guildhall. 

April 07, 2019

Congratulations to the Thornhill College Chamber, led by one of our advisors Mrs Quigley and accompanied by Louis and Nicky, who have been selected as BBC Northern Ireland School Choir Of The Year 2019. Following their success at Feis Ceoil 2019 in Dublin, this is a tremendous achievement for the choir who have now won 13 cups/awards in their last two years. Congratulations also to Ebrington Primary School and their conductor Rachel Stone, winners of the Junior Section, and former school of both Louis and Nicky. What a fantastic for music in the Northwest!

March 08, 2019

It was an honour for Louis and Nicky to accompany the Foyle College Choir at their official opening, which was opened by HRH The Princess Royal to officially open the fantastic new school. As former Foyle College students, it was a pleasure to play a part of the official opening, and join Foyle College as they embark on the next chapter of their long and enduring history. 

February 07, 2019

Louis and Nicky had a fantastic year with Codetta once again, performing alongside the Ulster Orchestra on more than one occasion, as well as recording 'A Constellation of Bargained Parts' and the soundtrack for 'Lost Lives'. They also performed the UK and Ireland Premiere of Anything Can Happen, by Mohammad Fairouz, to mark the 80th birthday of Seamus Heaney. 

June 13, 2018

Terms have officially been agreed between St. Columb's Cathedral and the St. Columb's School of Music. This agreement promises to help revive the choral tradition in the Cathedral, and expanding this style of music throughout the city. 

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St Columb's Cathedral has played a huge part in the musical lives of both Nicky and Louis. Long family traditions and links meant that this was always going to be the case. Deep gratitude are extended to the Cathedral from Nicky and Louis, as they continue to use the facilities at the Cathedral to teach private music lessons on piano, organ, singing, theory and aural tests. However, it must be stressed that although the Cathedral is a Church of Ireland Cathedral, both Nicky and Louis open up and offer musical tuition to students from all denominations. This is evident in the client base that they have already established, and from the Boy Choristers they have been recruited for the Cathedral Choir. Everyone is very much welcome at the St Columb's School of Music.

May 07, 2018

Tuesday 8th May, 2018 saw Nicky and Louis host their very own community choir concert. This cross-community, intergenerational concert brought together people of different ages, backgrounds and religion. Nicky directed the cross-community choir made up of the Fountain Primary School and Longtower Primary School. Louis directed the Age Concern choir. It is wonderful to see just how powerful a tool music making can be! More events like this are planned in the future as this city continues to wipe out, what can only at times be described as, 'it's divided society'.

April 17, 2018

Thornhill Alumni Choir is a newly established choir made up of past pupils from Thornhill College. Nicky and Louis will work as accompanists alongside the award winning musical director Mrs Elizabeth Quigley (Head of Music at Thornhill College). After being involved in the post-primary school competitions for several years, the girls now embark on their journey to compete nationally as an adult choir, with the Derry Choral Festival being their inaugural competition. The choir will also be available for booking to sing at engagements right across the city and beyond, including weddings, funerals and concerts, as well as participating in choral festivals and competitions.

November 27, 2018

Nicky and Louis were delighted to be asked to become the accompanists for the newly established 'Mood Swings'. Local singing teacher Caroline Millar - somebody who needs no introduction within this city - founded the group, which is made up of former Foyle College pupils. This small chamber choir consists of: Caroline Millar, Caroline Merrick, Jennifer McClintock, Pauline Hunter and Fiona Rankin. Having only started performing in the city for a short while, the group is already becoming popular and is in high demand for events throughout the year. To date, the Mood Swings have performed at gigs in venues such as the City Hotel, Drummond Hotel, St Columb's Cathedral and Greenbank Presbyterian Church Hall.

March 14, 2018

As accompanists in Thornhill College, Louis Fields and Nicky Morton have achieved success with the Thornhill College Senior Choir. They won 1st place in the Turner Huggard Cup Competition at the EBS Dublin Feis Ceoil, won the 3 Part Post-Primary competition, the Sacred Music Post-Primary competition and the Michael Mason Cup for the best overall performance at the Feis Dhoire Chlomcille, and were winners of the 3/4 Part Post-Primary competition at the Derry Choral Festival 2017, where they were also presented the award for an outstanding performance in the school competitions. 

September 06, 2017

The School of Music are the newest resident of Eighty81 in Ebrington Square, after being announced as one of the winners of the Graduate Entrepreneurs in Residence scheme. Eighty81 provides the School with an office space in the building to help the School grow as it expands over the year

August 19, 2017

Louis Fields and Nicky Morton entertained members of the public, as well as the thousands of tourists that the Guildhall receives each year. The Guildhall afforded the two organists a chance to practice on the organ throughout summer, allowing people to heard them practice as they explored the historic building. There are two recitals left in the Guildhall on the 14th and 28th September, 1-3pm.  

June 08, 2017

In the summer of 2017, both Nicky and Louis gave piano and organ recitals in St Augustine's Parish Church. This well attended series attracted interest from not only locals within the city, but also brought in many tourists who were walking the very popular and historic 'Derry walls', and who had heard the music in passing. Nicky and Louis also directed and accompanied the St Columb's Cathedral Boy Choristers in the series, who gave three recitals of their own in front of a packed audience. 

May 31, 2017

The newest place to learn music opens its doors to the public. Although teaching privately for many years and continuing their musical exploits individually, Louis Fields and Nicky Morton have come together to form the St. Columb's School of Music.