*Sean Shannon.
ENNIS’ Sean Shannon has been appointed as glór’s first Young Associate Artist.
As part of the development of the Associate Artists’ Programme this year, glór supports artists by enabling connections with audiences and communities across Clare and by facilitating the creation of new work inspired by the county’s unique culture and landscape.
Launched in 2017, glór’s Associate Artist programme has appointed three individuals to the post, each of whom have developed and performed work specifically related to Clare. The programme is a longer-term initiative where a high quality, innovative performing artist is invited to become associated with glór and to receive support in the form of performances, residencies, and R&D periods.
Seventeen year old pianist Sean is the first young Associate Artist appointed. He received his initial piano lessons from Meaghan Dineen through the Music Generation programme. He is currently studying with Tatiana Timofeeva, and in September he will commence a Bachelor in Music Performance on an entrance scholarship at the Royal Irish Academy of Music under Professor Réamonn Keary.
In 2018, Sean performed for President Michael D. Higgins at ClareCare charity’s 50th anniversary celebration, and at the age of 14 he gave his debut solo recital at glór in 2019. In 2021 he featured on RTÉ’s Nationwide.
Sean has also successfully participated in numerous national piano competitions, most recently the Feis Ceoil and has previously received a scholarship funded by Maoin Cheoil an Chláir/Limerick School of Music, and for several years received the Ennis Lions Club Mary Keohane Bursary.
As part of the 2022 Associate Artist Programme, Sean will perform a solo recital in glór on Thursday 8th September at 7pm. Sean will present a diverse range of solo piano works composed throughout the centuries.
From the solemnity and severity of Bach’s music to the poetry of Chopin, the intensity and volatility of Scriabin and the unorthodox harmonies and jazz influence present in American composer Aaron Copland’s music, this programme takes the listener through a brief history of classical music over the centuries, exploring a wide range of styles and emotions. Sean will chat about each piece and its composer during the recital.