Waterford local to feature on new RTÉ series
FACE The Music, a new three-part documentary series that follows the students and teachers of The Royal Irish Academy of Music during a pivotal year in its 175-year history will air on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player this Thursday, June 22, at 10.15pm.
Waterford's Kevin Meehan will feature in the new series.
Kevin is originally from Waterford city and is President of the RIAM Students Union.
While he is no longer a student of RIAM, Kevin can still audition for a part in their Philharmonia orchestra.
The series follows Deborah Kelleher, Director of the RIAM at the start of the new academic year, as she deals with significant delays to a €25 million building project due to the pandemic and the rising costs of building materials.
Undeterred, as the leader of this internationally renowned institution, Deborah knows that the show must go on.
Throughout this three-part series, we meet some of the exceptionally gifted students and their teachers who dedicate their lives to pursuit of excellence in music.
Deborah is striving to break down the ‘elitist’ barriers of classical music to make it accessible for everyone.
However, this is still a world that strives for perfection and the demands on students are significant.
In episode one, vocal student, Rachael Connaghan is about to have major jaw surgery to fix a misalignment that is impacting her singing - but first, she must audition for a lead role in the opera.
17-year-old pianist, Seán Shannon is leaving home in Ennis, Co. Clare for the first time to take a place in RIAM’s third level programme.
Having taught himself to play on a toy piano as a child by watching Youtube videos, he's nervous about stepping into such a professional environment.
Auditions also take place for third level students to determine their place in RIAM’s Philharmonia Orchestra.
In episode two, the students and teachers are halfway through the academic year.
Things are starting to get very real.
The new building is still not open, but the show must go on, as internationally renowned Conductor Mihhail Gerts arrives to lead the Philharmonia Orchestra at the RIAM.
Finally, in the series finale, the end of the academic year performances are looming, and the students must step up to the plate.
Daire and Ríona are preparing for Feis Ceoil, while the third level vocal students get ready for their opera performance.
Face the Music will air on Thursday June 22, 10.15pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.