Kevin O’Carroll comes from a very musical family in Waterford. His father, Fintan O’Carroll was a music teacher, violinist and internationally recognised church music composer. His mother, Josephine is a fine contralto and was a member of many local choirs. Of his five surviving siblings, one is a retired music teacher, one a violin/viola teacher, one a professional horn player, one a professional bassoon player and one is a fine amateur violinist – so no pressure to be a competent musician!
Kevin started his formal music education by attaining a scholarship to the renowned Schola Cantorum at St. Finian’s College, Mullingar. At St. Finian’s and under the guidance of Fr.Frank McNamara, he was trained as an organist and church musician. At that time, he also studied French Horn at the Royal Irish Academy of Music with Victor Malirsh - again by way of scholarship from the Irish Youth Orchestra.
Having started a Music degree course in University College Dublin, he left after his second year without completing the degree. Those two years in Dublin were not wasted however, as it was in those two years that he was regularly employed as a deputy French Horn player with the RTE Concert Orchestra and the RTE Symphony Orchestra (now the National Symphony of Orchestra of Ireland).
Having left college, Kevin managed to get a “real” job – working for a bank, where he remained for almost thirty years. During that time, however, he was busy with his musical life freelancing as a French Horn player, in addition to working as conductor and musical director with choirs and musical societies.
In 1981, following the death of his father, the previous incumbent, Kevin took over as Organist and Choirmaster at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Waterford, a post he held from 1981 to 1996.
In 1982, Kevin conducted his first musical – Finian’s Rainbow with the Carnew Musical Society. He has always been grateful to Carnew for giving him his first break into the world of musical theatre. Invitations followed from many different societies including Enniscorthy Musical Society, New Ross Musical Society, Edmund Rice Choral and Musical Society, De La Salle Musical Society, De La Salle School Musical Society and also from musical societies in Scotland and Wales. He has received a number of AIMS awards for his work with musical societies.Kevin has also gained a bit of a reputation for being the person to turn to in an emergency - especially where musical theatre is concerned! He has stepped in (literally) at the last minute to conduct several shows including Cabaret, Honk, Oklahoma and The Arcadians. These last three were all in international competitions, for which he was nominated each time as best musical director!
In 1993, he began conducting the chamber choir Madrigallery. With this choir, he has won awards at most of the choir festivals in Ireland – Cork Choral Festival, Sligo Choral Festival, Navan Choral Festival, Arklow Music Festival, New Ross Choral Festival. The repertoire covered by this choir extends from Madrigals to Brahms and from Rutter to world premier performances by Eric Sweeney, Marion Ingoldsby, Greg Scanlon and Colin Mawby. An occasional composer himself, Kevin’s compositions have been broadcast on national radio in Ireland and on KOHM – the Texas equivalent of Lyric fm. Over the years, Kevin has conducted groups from many countries including Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Australia, Taiwan and the USA.
Since 2000, Kevin has been busy studying in order to increase his specialist knowledge. In that time, he studied conducting with the internationally renowned conducting pedagogue and clinician, Dr. John Dickson at Texas Tech University, USA. He has also worked with David Hill (King’s College, Cambridge), Tim Brown (Clare College, Cambridge) as well as the well-known British composer and conductor Bob Chilcott.
Now recognised nationally as a choral specialist, Kevin no longer works for the bank but is in demand as a teacher and choral consultant for workshops and guest lectures. He has also been adjudicator for several choral competitions throughout Ireland including Kilkenny, Midleton, Arklow and the AIMS Choral Festival in New Ross in addition to the Irish Choir of the year in Navan. He is currently on the lecture and examination panel for the Post-Graduate Diploma in Choral Conducting in Education and the Community at St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra (DCU) he is also a member of the panel of Examiners at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. He has been Guest Director (2009) and Tutor for Special Choir (1995) at the Irish Church Music Association Summer School and in addition has lectured at the Irish Association of Choirs Summer School (2009). He has delivered a variety of workshops for the Association of Irish Musical Societies on a number of occasions.
Recently Kevin established a Waterford based series of orchestral concerts for primary schools with the newly formed Waterford Concert Orchestra. These concerts were a tremendous success with over 3,000 people attending the concerts over a four day period in June2010. This success was repeated in 2011.
In September 2011, Kevin was appointed conductor of The Glory Day Singers, Clonmel - a ladies choir with a very successful and popular history.
2012 saw further developments with conducting consultant work on a flim being produced for BBC - Loving Miss Hatto. March 2012 also saw Kevin conduct the RTECO for the first time.
2013 was another milestone in Kevin's varied career when his first book on choral conducting Choral Conducting - A handbook for Irish Choir Trainers and Conductors was published.
Kevin holds a Dip. ABRSM in Choral Conducting , a B.A. (Hons.) in Music and Business Management and a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting performance.
| EDUCATION | |
| May 2008 | Master of Music Choral Conducting – Texas Tech University |
| December, 2005 | B.A. Music and Business Management – The Open University |
|
AWARDS |
|
| 2010 | Dése Den - Public competition for new businesses supported by Waterford City Enterprise Board, Waterford City Council, Eagle Dreams - web design, Price Waterhouse Coopers Accountants and Waterford Local Radio - WLRfm. |
| 2008 | Bursary from National Arts Council of Ireland to study at Texas Tech. |
| January 2007 | Diploma in Musical Direction (Choral Conducting) from The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, London |
| July 2002 | Professional Diploma in Management – The Open University |
| July 2004 | Diploma in Music – The Open University |
| 1974 - 1978 | Scholarship to Royal Irish Academy of Music (French Horn) |
| 1973 – 1978 | Scholarship to Schola Cantorum (specialisation in Church music) from Irish Catholic Bishop’s Council |
| TEACHING EXPERIENCE | |
|
2012 2011 |
Part time lecturer in Choral Conducting NUI Maynooth Appointed to the Board of Examiners for Royal Irish Academy of Music Local Centre Examinations. |
| 2010 | Examiner for Post Graduate Diploma in Choral Conducting, St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin (DCU) |
| 2010 | Lecturer and post graduate supervisor for Post-Graduate Diploma in Choral Conducting, St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin (DCU) |
| 2009 August | Guest Lecturer, Irish Association of Choirs, Conducting Summer School |
| 2009 July | Guest Director of Irish Church Music Association Summer School |
| 2009 June | Course Evaluator for new Church Music Diploma, Waterford Institute of Technology |
| 2008 | Guest conductor of Royal Irish Academy of Music Wind Band, National Concert Hall, Dublin |
| 2002 – to date | Musical Director of Waterford International Festival of Light Opera |
| 2007-2008 |
Texas Tech University (TTU) School of Music, Lubbock, TX, Assistant Conductor, Texas Tech Madrigal Singers, Assistant Conductor Lubbock Chorale, Lubbock TX, Mentor to TTU post-graduates and seniors. University lecturing covering illness at TTU. |
| 2003 – 2005 | Artistic Director of international choir festival Waterford Sings |
| 2001 – 2003 | Conductor of Waterford Summer Orchestra |
| 2000 | Guest lecturer for Association of Irish Musical Societies |
| 1997 – 1999 | Director of Waterford Choral Workshops |
| 1997 to date | Guest director for various Choral Workshops |
| 1996 to date | Conductor of chamber choir Madrigallery |
| 1995 | Guest Director of Special Choir for Irish Church Music Association |
| 1993 | Guest lecturer for Irish Association of Choirs |
| 1981 | French Horn tutor for Irish Youth Orchestra |
| 1981 – 1996 | Choir Director and Organist at Roman Catholic Cathedral, Waterford |
| PRIVATE TEACHING | |
| 1981 to date | Conducting – beginner to Post Graduate |
| French Horn – beginner to post Grade 8 ABRSM | |
| Piano – beginner to Grade 6 ABRSM | |
| Organ – beginner to Grade 6 ABRSM | |
| Music Theory - beginner to Grade 5 ABRSM | |
| PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS | |
| Association of Irish Musical Societies | Using the many voices within |
| Irish Association of Choirs | Choir Management |
| Association of Irish Musical Societies | Introduction to Musical Direction |
| Irish Association of Choirs | The Benefits of Choir Voicing |
| Irish Church Music Association | The Benefits of Choir Voicing |
| Irish Church Music Association | Score Preparation/Preparation for success |
| DCU Diploma in Choral Conducting | Score Preparation/Preparation for success |
| Irish Church Music Association | The Effect of Gesture on Sound |
| DCU Diploma in Choral Conducting | Non-Standard Notation in 20th Century Choral Music |
| ADJUDICATION EXPERIENCE | |
|
2013 2012
2011 |
Adjudicator Cork Choral Festival Arklow Music Festival Arklow Music Festival, AIMS Choral Festival - New Ross, Féile an tSamhraidh - Midleton, Kilkenny Music Festival |
| 2010 | Kilkenny Music Festival |
| 2009 | Navan Choral Festival (including Irish Choir of the Year) |
| 2009 | Kilkenny Music Festival |
| 2005 | Kilkenny Music Festival |
| INVITATIONAL WORKSHOPS | |
| Director Waterford Choral Workshops | Guest tutors: John Rutter, Nigel Perrin |
| CHORAL WORKSHOPS | |
|
|
St Finian's College Mullingar Mullingar Choral Society Castledermot Male Voice Choir |
| Ulysses Choir, Dublin | |
| Unity Singers, Kilkenny | |
| Waterford Male Voice Choir | |
| Multiple current invitations | |
| CONDUCTING EXPERIENCE | |
|
2012 December 2012 November 2012 September 2012 April 2012 March 2011 September |
The Snowman - WCO Classical Movie Classics - WCO Masterpieces of Opera and Ballet - National Concert Hall, Dublin Conducting consultant on BBC film Loving Miss Hatto Conducting trial with RTECO. Appointed conductor of The Glory Day Singers - a ladies choir based in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. |
| 2011 (April) | Launch of Waterford Concert Orchestra |
| 2011 (February) | Launch of Choral Ensemble Vocalis |
| 2010 (June) | Founder, Promoter and Conductor of Schools Orchestral Series - an introduction to the orchestra for Primary Schools |
| 2010 (May) | Founder, Promoter and Conductor of the South East Choral Alliance - an alliance of three award winning choirs to perform symphonic works. |
| 2010 (May) | Guest Conductor - Dublin Symphony Orchestra |
| 2010 (May) | Dvorak: Te Deum, Brahms: Academic Festival Overture |
| 2010 | Mozart: Missa Brevis in C K220, Whitacre: Five Hebrew Songs |
| 2009 | Rutter:Requiem |
| 2008 | Cantloube: Songs of the Auvergne, Series I & II, Lubbock, TX (A joint international project part facilitated by the Arts Council of Ireland) |
| 2006 | Charpentier: Messe de Minuit |
| 2005 | Karl Jenkins: The Armed Man |
| 2003 to date | Musical Director of Waterford International Festival of Light Opera. Orchestra prepared for at least eight different shows per year since 2003. Shows include: West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, Les Miserables, Yeoman of the Guard, Pirates of Penzance, HMS Pinafore, Ruddigore, Oklahoma, A Little Night Music, Into the Woods, Guys and Dolls and many more |
| 2001 – 2003 |
Conductor Waterford Summer Orchestra- Wagner: Sigfried Idyll, Schumann: Symphony No.2, Mozart : Horn Concerto No. 2, Scanlon: Concertino Latino (World Premiere), Copeland: Billy the Kid, Shostakovich: A Festive Overture, Scanlon: A Waterford Overture (World Premiere), Holst: Brook Green Suite |
| 1995 | Guest Musical Director, St David’s Musical Society, Wales – Oklahoma |
| 1993 to date | Conductor of chamber choir Madrigallery. Major works conducted - Vivaldi: In furore iustissimae irae, Vivaldi: Gloria, Mozart: Missa Brevis, Faurè: Requiem, Duruflè: Requiem, Jenkins: The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace. Bach: Brandenburg Concerto No.3 |
| 1992 | Guest Musical Director, Pantheon Musical Society, Scotland – Honk! |
| 1987 - 1990 | Fiddler on the Roof, Brigadoon, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. |
| 1986 | Emergency conductor – De La Salle Musical Society – Cabaret |
| 1984 - 1986 | Musical Director Edmund Rice Choral and Musical Society, Waterford – Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof, The Arcadians, New Moon, Guys and Dolls |
| 1993 | Emergency conductor Edmund Rice Choral and Musical Society – Patience |
| 1981 – 1983 | Musical Director Carnew Musical Society – The Wizard of Oz, Finian’s Rainbow, Fiddler on the Roof |
| 1981 – 1996 | Waterford Cathedral Choir |
|
PERFORMANCE (Non Conducting) |
|
|
2012 October
2012 September 1987 |
Wexford Opera Festival (Horn) - A Village Romeo & Juliet - Delius Tristan & Isolde (Horn) National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland -Grand Canal theatre, Dublin Off Stage ensemble (Horn) Wexford Opera Festival |
| 1982 | Chorus member – The Desert Song – Edmund Rice Choral and Musical Society |
| 1981 | Go To – The Mikado, De La Salle Musical Society, Waterford |
| 1980 | The Pirate King – Pirates of Penzance, De La Salle Musical Society, Waterford |
| 1979 – 1983 | Deputy French Horn Player RTE Concert Orchestra |
| 1979 – 1983 | Deputy French Horn Player RTE Symphony Orchestra (Now known as the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland) |
| 1979 to date | Freelance French Horn |
| COMPOSITIONS | |
| 2008 | Subject-ed -SATB |
| 2007 | Anach Cuan – Bar solo, SATB with divisi |
| 2006 | Kyrie (after Rug Muire Mac do Dhia) a capella SSAATTBB |
| 1986 | Mass of the Resurrection – Choir & Organ |
| 1984 | A Simple Mass – Choir & Organ |
| TEACHERS AND COACHES | |
| 2006-2008 | Dr. John Dickson, Conducting Professor |
| 1984-1985 | Kathleen Tynan (Voice) |
| 1974 – 1982 | Victor Malir (Horn) |
| 1974 – 1980 | Rev. Frank McNamara (Organ) |
| 1973 - 1980 | Dorothy Horan , John Gibson, Mabel Swainson (Piano) |
