Joan Trimble

Liz McVey, granddaughter of the late Joan Trimble presents grant awards to (back L-R) Conor Hughes, Lauren Rooney, Aoife Maguire and Kiara Monsanto

 

The Joan Trimble Bursary Awards have awarded grants to five local students. Established by her family and administered by the Fermanagh Trust, the awards were set up in 2002 in memory of the Enniskillen born musician and composer. The Awards recognise Joan’s lifelong commitment to County Fermanagh and their purpose is to encourage the involvement of young people in creativity, the performing arts and Irish culture.

Mount Lourdes students Aoife Maguire, Kiara Monsanto, and Lauren Rooney along with St Michael’s College student Conor Hughes will use their bursaries to attend the Ulster Youth Choir Summer Course this July. The keen vocalists have been described by tutors as enthusiastic, hard-working and disciplined young singers who attend many extra-curricular events in order to reach their full potential.

The prestigious summer school will be held in Campbell College Belfast. During the residential the young people will be given the opportunity to have individual singing lesions with professional vocal teachers and take part in a variety of workshops learning a range of exercises. They will also participate in evening master classes and the course will finish with a concert in Belfast. 

On completion of Grade 8 Distinction Piano, Alana Harron from Kesh has been given the opportunity to work towards a Diploma in Community and Group Music Teaching with the Royal Irish Academy of Music. Alana’s grant will help cover fees and travel for the course which starts in Dublin this September. Throughout the course she will be teaching children in her local community music group, delivering a programme of work for many children who, without the group lesson, would never have the opportunity to experience music education.  This will be valuable experience for Alana on her way to becoming a qualified music teacher.

Liz McVey, granddaughter of the late Joan Trimble said “In the spirit of encouraging wider opportunity and access to the arts we are delighted to award these bursaries to five gifted individuals. They must be commended for their willingness and drive to attend these courses to further develop their musicianship in preparation for the third level. No doubt they will gain inspiration and valuable experience as they progress with their studies and we wish them every success for the future.”

For more information on the Joan Trimble Bursary Awards CLICK HERE. The next closing date for applications is 1st November 2016. Areas of support for individuals up to and including 25 years of age include: specialist education training sessions and courses; international cultural programmes; participation in master classes and summer schools.