Orchestra strikes a chord with Cavan duo

Amongst the scores of talented musicians swelling the ranks of the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland are two promising Cavan violinists.

Colette Halloran of Butlersbridge has just performed her first concert in Limerick under the baton of conductor Greg Beardsell; while Virginia’s Emily Daly is already an established orchestra member, and sits amongst the more experienced violinists.

“I’m very proud and excited to be part of it,” says Colette, who only recently turned 14.

Speaking ahead of making her bow in Limerick last Saturday, Colette admitted to being “a bit nervous, but mainly excited”.

The setlist is light on classical standards and heavy on movie soundtracks and contemporary songs with orchestral arrangements. Colette’s favourite composition to play is ‘Dance Medley 2024’ which melds a whole go of hits by the likes of Rhianna and Avicci.

“There’s pop music in it which it makes it really fun,” says Colette, who is preparing to sit grade six exams and is also a member of Belturbet Comhaltas.

She believes the orchestra has benefited her playing, noting: “Reading music, posture and technique have all improved.”

Equally, if not more importantly is the social aspect. She bravely walked into rehearsals not knowing a single other person, and played alongside scores of musicians, many of who have been in the orchestra for years.

“I’ve made new friends - one of them is another violist in the third section, and I’ve made a few friends who play clarinets.”

Colette’s achievement of being accepted into the renowned orchestra is one her family is justly savouring. Colette was born with a congenital heart defect which required open heart surgery when she was just two years old. She was tube-fed until she was three and many years of treatment followed, which meant she was regularly in and out of Crumlin and Cavan General Hospital.

“I remember when she was a baby,” recalls her proud mother Áine, “especially when was tube-fed, and reading articles about parents who had gone through the same, and their children were later sitting down to steak dinners. I thought ‘Oh, that will never be us, we’re so bad we’ll never be that way’.

“But now she is that person!”

Now that Colette has defied the odds to become a healthy teen Áine hopes her daughter’s progress and musical success will provide inspiration for others during difficult times.

“I think it’s important to remind ourselves where she’s come from,” says Áine.

Beyond recollections of eating copious helpings of ice cream, for Colette her serious heart condition is something she knows only through her parents stories.

Given Colette’s “petite” frame she was drawn more to music than sports and took up violin from age five.

“She would have to hold the violin against the wall because she didn’t have the strength to hold it. And now she has the strength to play for two hours at a time.”

Music played an important part in her recovery and brought her great joy.

The Hallorans are grateful to Niamh Kelly, who tutored her in the fiddle when she was seven years old. Niamh then teamed Colette up with a young tutor Sam Dunne for one-to-one lessons over the last two years in order to help her progress up the musical grades.

A former member of the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland, Sam urged Colette to audition for it. She recorded and submitted by video two pieces in summer 2023 and found herself accepted.

“It was a ‘pinch me’ moment,” recalls Áine. “It’s very emotional for us”

She adds: “It has meant so much for other people as well, to see her come through this.

“Nobody knows in the orchestra about her history - which is what we want - but at the same time we want to be inspiring for others who might be going through a difficult time.

“The house in her first years was always filled with tears as people were worried, whereas now it’s tears of joy and excitement.”

Emily Daly is also enjoying the excitement of playing in the orchestra.

She joined the CBOI in 2021 at the age of 13. Asked if she began in the thirds, she recalls with a self-deprecating laugh she began “at the back of thirds - now I’m seconds”. With the benefit of experience, Emily has developed and progressed up the violin ranks to sit with the seconds.

She also loves how national school children can participate in choir workshops to form a choir to perform with the orchestra at the Peace Proms at the concerts. In this way she delights in helping others share in her passion for music.

“There’s 35,000 kids every year who are getting access to this for free - some of them have never seen a violin before, some of them have never seen an orchestra before, so it’s cool to see how that makes an impact on them.”

Emily knows first hand the importance of being introduced to music. The Wicklow native started playing violin aged just three years old in the Kildare International School of Excellence for Young Musicians (KISEYM) at Herbert Lodge. Her admiration for Emer O’Carroll meant that when she and her family moved to Virginia in 2019, she continued to take weekly lessons with her long-term tutor on Zoom and travel to the Curragh once a month for in person lessons. Emily too is studying for her grade six musical exams.

Her involvement in the orchestra saw her tick off an experience last St Patrick’s Day that is on most performer’s wish-list: Carnegie Hall.

“That’s up at the top,” she says of highlights. “When you start playing music when you’re small - that’s a dream, and to be able to do that at 15 was amazing! It’s the coolest thing, to walk out to that.”

Asked if she had any advice for orchestra newcomers such as Colette, Emily instantly replies: “Have fun. That’s the main part of the orchestra - have fun!”