Dear Reader - Firstly thanks for reading all year.!
Once again this letter’s readership has grown in 2024 and it’s great for me to see that so many of you enjoy it from week to week.
I’d like to wish you all the very best for 2025. If possible don’t just fall into it.
Take some time to reflect, figure out what you’d like to change and then attack it!
The Big Thing
The 5 most-read letters of 2024…
August - Introducing the Theme Night Academy - one of our biggest announcements of the year.
August - Level 8 - what the last level of our piano curriculum looks like, plus a story of losing car keys on Streedagh beach!
October - Taking lessons again - I contacted a UK-based piano player to see if he would take me on for some lessons. Thankfully he did!
January - The whole shack shimmies - pre-Theme Night #33 excitement!
March - Beginnings - Our Theme Announcement for Vicar St.
Where else but Sligo?
Siblings Mícheál and Eimear Kearney have been friends of our family for a long time now. And after a busy Christmas, an invitation on Sat 28th to Bree’s to see Whatever Suits with them was just what I needed.
And it turned out to be quite the night - filled with Teenage Theme Night nostalgia and a wonderful way to round off the year.
Firstly the band rocked. Clever setlist, great musicianship, and a lively crowd that were there to see them and enjoy every minute. There were 8 in the band too - so a big sound and lots to enjoy!
And Ken McDonald you would have been proud - your former students Sam Purcell and Michael Campbell switching over and back between drums and percussion without a hint of an ego on show. Both having a great time - so good to see.
James McManus’ first gig back in a couple of months and he managed to turn the guitar up all the way to 11. Pulling faces as only he can.
Fraser Gaine mischievous throughout and magically produced two spare saxophones at the end of the night for Tom Ryan and Niamh Keaveney to join him.
The two Stephens (McGurrin and O’Dowd) at the back of the stage holding it all down but still finding their moments to make their mark.
Claire Loftus was my first ever star piano student. She went off to music college in Cork and I hadn’t heard her play in years. So nice to hear how her playing has developed (wow!) and to chat to her afterwards.
And Sean ‘Cabbage’ Callaghan fronting it all with his unique presence and charm. His voice disappearing fast but like John Lennon recording Twist and Shout he kept finding one last show of strength to keep the crowd rocking.
I had this wonderful wholesome feeling throughout. Watching a bunch of young musicians up there doing their thing and doing it so well. All smiling and in the moment. And on top of that there were so many of their Teenage Theme Night friends in the audience. It was a proper scene. Everyone out for the music.
Thanks for the invitation guys!
What’s New?
2025 PLANS: It’s going to be a big one. Lots of new and lots of fun. Looking forward to sharing it with you all.
JIM DOHERTY CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: I advertised this last week but it was even better than I thought. Listen back here.
MY FAVOURITE RECORDING MOMENT OF 2024: Thanks Niall McCabe for the memory, and to Luke Rory James and Joy for capturing it.
Finally…
My favourite song to listen to this year - from letter 186…
Till next time - Kieran.
