Award Winners 2001 - 2016
Winner 2016: Aidan Chan
School: Scoil Dara, Kilcock, Kildare
Note: Aidan will use his bursary to study music at the Royal
Academy of Music London in September 2017
Winner 2015: Eoin Fleming
School: St MacDaras Community College, Templeogue, Dublin
Note: Eoin used the bursary to study with John OConor at
Shenandoah University, Virginia, U.S.A.
Winner 2014: Christopher Ellis
School: Sutton Park School, Howth, Dublin
Note: Christopher used the bursary to study at the
Conservatoire Nationale Superieur de Musique et de
Danse Paris
Winner 2013: Mairead Hickey
School: Mount Mercy College, Bishopstown, Cork
Note: Mairead used the bursary to attend Kronberg Academy
in Germany
Winner 2012: Sinead OHalloran
School: Regina Mundi College, Douglas, Cork
Note: Sinead used the bursary to attend the Meadows School
of the Arts in Dallas, Texas
Award Winners 2001 - 2016
Winner 2009: Mire Carroll
School: Loreto College, St Stephens Green, Dublin
Note: Mire used the bursary for master classes at a
recognised place of tuition abroad
Winner 2008: Kevin OHara
School: St MacDaras Community College, Templeogue, Dublin
Note: Kevin used his bursary to attend a place of tuition in
London to further his musical career
Winner 2007: Robert Farhat
School: The High School, Rathgar, Dublin
Note: Robert used the Bursary to further his education in
Music
Winner 2006: Ayane Yamanaka
School: Dominican College Sion Hill, Blackrock, Dublin
Note: Ayane used the Bursary to further her education in
music
Winner 2005: Karen Abe Sponsored by the Top Security Group
School: Mount Sackville, Chapelizod, Dublin
Note: Karen used the bursary to further her education in music
Pianist Mire Carroll has captivated audiences around the world and
Music Scholarships at Castleknock College, Dublin
is a past winner of the Frank Maher Classical Music Awards.
Winner 2004: Gary McGuinness
Winner 2003, 2002, 2001: Alan Murrin
Introduction
Music is an amazing celebration of life and the Top Security
Group is very proud to have created the Frank Maher Classical
Music Awards in 2001.
Father Frank was a teacher at Castleknock College from 1959
to 1998 and his love of music inspired Emmet ORafferty,
chairman of the Top Security Group, to set up the Awards in his
memory. Their aim is to promote musical life, assist cultural
exchange and promote young and talented musicians.
Past winners have used their bursary to attend many of the
John Wilson, principal conductor
worlds most prominent music Academies such as Royal of the RTE Concert Orchestra
College of Music in London, Shenandoah University, Virginia, from 2004-2016, launched the
U.S.A., Conservatoire Nationale Superieur de Musique et de 2014 Frank Maher Classical
Danse Paris, Kronberg Academy Germany, Meadows School Music Awards
of the Arts, Dallas, Texas, RAM London to name but a few.
Andreea Banciu, Adrian Mantu, Ingrid Nicola and Bogdan Sofei
The internationally renowned Galway-based RT Contempo Quartet helped to up the tempo
at the launch of Top Securitys Frank Maher Classical Music Awards for 2016.
The Awards have been a jewel in Irelands classical music crown for many years and its 5,000
bursary for the winner is one of the largest financial prizes in the cultural arena. From its very
outset, it has attracted exceptional and highly talented young musicians to perform each year
for an invited audience.
Competition
The competition is open to sixth year students attending any post-primary school nationwide.
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.
Application and rules can be downloaded from www.topsecurity.ie
Closing date for applications is Thursday 12th October 2017.
Date and Venue
The competition will be held on Friday 10th November at 7 pm in the Royal College of Physicians
of Ireland, No 6, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
Bursary
A bursary of 5,000 (Five Thousand Euro) will be awarded to the Winner.
A bursary of 250 (Two Hundred and Fifty Euros) will be awarded to each of the other Finalists.
Emmet ORafferty, Chairman Top Security Group with the Panel of Judges
Veronica McSwiney, Dr Gerard Gillen and Dr Kerry Houston
Emeritus Professor of Music Maynooth University, Dr Gerard Gillen. Gerard enjoys an
international reputation and has given recitals at many a prestigious venue around the
world.
Dr Kerry Houston, Head of Department of Academic Studies, DIT Conservatory of
Music and Drama. Kerry is a former President of the Society for Musicology in Ireland.
Classical Pianists Veronica McSwiney. Veronica has played all over the world for
many years and apart from her solo work was Music Director of Irish National Opera
Company. Veronica has performed with many great names throughout her career.
Appreciation
Under the guidance and support of Lecturer in Music Education at
Trinity College Dublin, Gabrielle McCann, who from 2003 and for
many years was on the Panel of Judges and played a key role in the
development of the awards.