*The late Sean Shannon.
THE SEAN SHANNON music foundation is launching this June with concerts at the Royal Irish Academy of Music on the 20th and in glór on the 27th.
The concerts are the first in a series of events planned by the foundation, dedicated to the immensely talented Ennis pianist who tragically passed away in 2023, aged just eighteen.
The foundation is dedicated to breaking down financial barriers for talented young musicians by providing mentors, performance opportunities and a supportive community where young musicians are able to thrive.
Aoife O’Donovan is one of the organisation’s founders. She described Sean as “an absolute prodigy”. She said, “He was born into a family that didn’t have a lot of money and wasn’t able to afford lessons. He managed to kind of learn by ear on this tiny five key piano and was able to recount melodies from songs and games. When he was twelve he was able to access subsidised lessons by Music Generation. They provided him with a teacher and paid for a bit of the tuition. He really evolved from there, he was an absolute prodigy to be honest”.
Sean was able to avail of a baby grand piano in glór’s foyer where his talent was first recognised. The Ennis native appeared in a Nationwide special in 2021 where his talent was showcased and was subsequently made glór’s Young Associate Artist in 2022.
“He had always said he wanted to study in the Royal Irish Academy of Music which is Ireland’s oldest leading conservatoire. For his first year he was given a scholarship and featured in the documentary ‘Face The Music’ which follows his whole first year”, Aoife told The Clare Echo.
The money raised from the upcoming summer concerts will go towards the Sean Shannon Bursary. Music Generation will then come up with a panel and nominate two young people to receive this bursary and have the opportunity to perform at their own concerts in February next year. Both concerts this June will feature performances by Principal Clarinet of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, John Finnucane.
Tickets are available now from www.seanshannonfoundation.com for the concerts at the Royal Irish Academy of Music on June 20th and glór on June 27th.
