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Robbie Carroll

Performers
Robbie Carroll, organ
Concert date
Online video
Programme

Grayston Ives (b. 1948)

Intrada

Lullaby

César Franck (1822-1890)

From Trois Pièces:

Cantabile

Joseph Jongen (1873-1953)

Sonata Eroïca, op. 94

Biographies

Robbie Carroll has been Assistant Director of Music at St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, since September 2019.

He is a native of Galway, and his earliest musical training began as organ scholar of Galway Cathedral, with cathedral organist Ray O'Donnell. He then went on to study on the BMus degree at DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama (now TU Dublin Conservatoire), graduating in 2017 with a first-class Honours in organ performance. Upon graduating, he also won the Michael McNamara award for ‘excellence in performance’. His organ tutors whilst studying included the late Una Russell, Colm Carey, Siobhán Kilkelly and Simon Harden. During this time, he was also organ scholar of St Mary's Pro-Cathedral, where he accompanied the choir on tours to the USA, Brussels and Rome.

Upon completion of his Bachelor degree, Robbie pursued further studies in Germany. He graduated in 2019 from the organ solo masters degree in the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz, Cologne, with an overall 1.0 grade, the highest mark available. There he studied with Prof. Winfried Bönig, organist of Cologne Cathedral. During his time in Germany, he was also the organ scholar of the parish of St Peter und Paul, Ratingen, where he studied improvisation with Ansgar Wallenhorst.

Robbie has won multiple prizes in the ESB Feis Ceoil and has also competed in the Northern Ireland International Organ competition. He was the first ever organist to compete in the Freemasons' Young Musician of the Year, and was the 2016 winner of the Brennan Prize, for the 'most promising musician in the competition'.

Robbie is active as a recitalist, accompanist and concerto soloist in Ireland and Germany. He is also active as chamber musician and continuo player. He has participated in masterclasses with Dr John Kitchen, Dame Gillian Weir, Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin, Eric Lebrun and Prof. Henry Fairs, among others. He also holds associate diplomas in both organ and piano. He has recorded CDs with the choirs of both St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral and St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. As part of his work in St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, he takes an active role in the Diocesan Church Music Scheme. This involves the development of music programmes and events in 18 schools throughout the diocese.