top of page

Charles Wood Summer School

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.

School of Music New Tutors

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!

School of Music Secure New Premises

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. 

Nicky and the Ulster Orchestra

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. 

School Choir of the Year Winners!

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!

Official Opening of Foyle College

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. 

Nicky and Louis with Codetta

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. 

Link with St. Columbs

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. 

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.

Cross Community Concert

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'.

Thornhill Alumni

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.

1 / 1

Please reload

bottom of page