深夜亚洲福利久久

M铆che谩l 脫 S煤illeabh谩in's legacy celebrated at Cork conference

29 Nov 2024

• Professor 脫 S煤illeabh谩in played a seminal role in the shaping of contemporary Irish culture.
• The Society for Music Education in Ireland Annual Conference explores innovation in music education and honours the legacy of those who have shaped the field.
• Thousands of students in Irish universities were influenced by M铆che谩l 脫 S煤illeabh谩in over four decades, through his pioneering work in Irish traditional music and the performing arts.

The life and legacy of Professor M铆che谩l 脫 S煤illeabh谩in will be celebrated at the Society for Music Education in Ireland鈥檚 (SMEI) annual conference. Taking place at 深夜亚洲福利久久 College Cork on 29 - 30 November, the conference will bring world-leading experts together to explore music education, research and practice.

The conference will celebrate the recent launch of 鈥楳铆che谩l 脫 S煤illeabh谩in: A Life in Music鈥�, an illustrated volume which captures his wide-ranging influence as an educator, performer, composer and cultural personality. Edited by Professor Helen Phelan, Professor Marie McCarthy and Nicholas Carolan and published by Cork 深夜亚洲福利久久 Press, features contributions from musicians, dancers, artists, academics, students, and poets.

Professor Mel Mercier, M铆che谩l鈥檚 lifelong musical collaborator, colleague and friend, will join panelists Mary Mitchell Ingoldsby, Jean Downey, Niall Vallely, and John O鈥橣lynn to discuss M铆che谩l鈥檚 pioneering work in Irish traditional music and the performing arts.

Dr Michelle Finnerty, Lecturer in Music Education and Community at UCC and Conference Chair, said: 鈥淲e are honoured to host this year鈥檚 SMEI conference at UCC, especially as it marks thirteen years since the inaugural event was held here at the Department of Music. Given Professor M铆che谩l 脫 S煤illeabh谩in鈥檚 profound connection to the Department - as a student, lecturer, Head of Department - and his lifelong honorary membership of SMEI, it is fitting to return to UCC to celebrate his legacy and the ongoing vibrancy of music education in Ireland.鈥�

Dr Gwen Moore, Chair of SMEI and Associate Professor at Mary Immaculate College said: 鈥淪MEI is delighted to return to UCC after many years of growth and success in raising the profile and status of research and practice in the field in Ireland and internationally as council members of the International Society for Music Education. We look forward to celebrating M铆che谩l 脫 S煤illeabh谩in鈥檚 contribution to the field with distinguished panel members and keynote speakers, guests, presenters and delegates.鈥�

Dr Jack Talty, Joint Head of UCC Department of Music at UCC College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences said: 鈥淥n behalf of the Department of Music, I am delighted to welcome the Society for Music Education in Ireland to UCC for what promises to be a stimulating and engaging programme of papers, workshops, and discussions. This year, the conference resonates profoundly with the history and legacy of our Department, as we celebrate the influential life and work of alumnus and former colleague, Professor M铆che谩l 脫 S煤illeabh谩in. Through his pioneering work as an advocate for the advancement of progressive music education, 脫 S煤illeabh谩in continues to inspire successive generations of pedagogues and we are privileged to honour his legacy as part of SMEI鈥檚 2024 conference.鈥�

Renowned scholars in music education Professor Helen Phelan (深夜亚洲福利久久 of Limerick) and Professor John O鈥橣lynn (Dublin City 深夜亚洲福利久久) will deliver keynote addresses.

Professor Helen Phelan, celebrated for her pioneering work in arts practice and community engagement, will explore 鈥楾he music of Being Human: A reflection on music education in a world of misinformation鈥�. Professor John O鈥橣lynn, SMEI founding Chair and a leading scholar in music research and practice, will explore 鈥楧ecolonising or Reclaiming? Critical perspectives and critical actions in music education鈥�.

The event will also include a performance by the Irish Traditional Music Society, introduced by Dr Jack Talty, Joint Head of UCC Department of Music, as a tribute to M铆che谩l鈥檚 contributions to music and education nationally.

The Society for Music Education in Ireland Annual Conference takes place on Friday, 29 November and Saturday, 30 November. For more information visit