Moira
studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London
She has won many awards and is a specialist in piano
accompaniment, chamber music, and in composing for piano, wind and choir.
Current Appointments
Examiner for the London College of Music
Accompanist & Composer
Previous Appointments
Head of
Keyboard at the Limerick VEC School of Music
Assistant Organist at St. Mary's Cathedral, Limerick
Accompanist to the Limerick Feile Luimni and Church Music International
Founder member of Mosaic Music, a
specialist Chamber Group in Ireland
Co-founder of the Limerick County Youth Orchestras & Companions of
St. Mary's Cathedral Music
Festival Adjudicator
Piano Teacher in Pocklington School, Yorkshire,
2005-2006
As a
Performer
Moira has performed regularly as soloist and
accompanist in Ireland, England and abroad, including a Mozart Piano Concerto in the National Concert Hall in
Dublin, and a recording for BBC Radio 3. In addition to her regular concerts at the University of Limerick with
students of the Masters String Course, she worked with such eminent musicians as Hugh McGuire, Duncan McTier,
Maurizio Fuchs and Marianne Sirbu.
She was the
official accompanist for the 1999 German-Irish Masterclasses in Ireland for Wind and Brass Instruments. Moira
has also acted as the official accompanist to the two major Limerick Music Festivals - the Feile Luimni and
Church Music International which regularly attracted choirs from Britain, Europe and America to sing in St.
Mary's Cathedral.
In 2003 she premiered in Ireland the piano music of Lajos Szücs, a modern Hungarian
composer who was composer in residence at the University of Limerick.
In 2006 and 2007 she was
invited back to Limerick in Ireland to accompany the prestigious Feile Luimni instrumental competitions.
She made her organ recording debut in the Cathedral Choir's internationally acclaimed recording, 'Advent
to Easter'.
Like much of her music making her services were given free to raise money for much needed
causes, including local and national charities and the Companions of St. Mary's Cathedral Music.
As a Teacher
Most of Moira's pupils received merit or distinction in their Associated
Board exams from Grade 1 to Diploma level.
Many went on to specialist music schools and colleges
in Britain & Ireland, e.g. The Royal Academy of Music in London, The Royal College of Music, & the
Yehudi Menuhin School.
Many pupils were successful in local and National Irish Music
Festivals.
As a teacher in Pocklington and Lyndhurst Schools in
Yorkshire of less than 10 months standing (2005-06) the horizons of her pupils were expanded beyond the need
to pass exams. In this short time her pupils won the Under 13 competition at Cottingham for 6 hands at one
piano with a trio specially arranged by Moira. Also at Cottingham one of her pupils won the under 18 Sonata
Solo, the own choice under 18, and was awarded a shield for best performer in the piano section. In the
prestigious Mrs. Sunderland Competition, held in Huddersfield, Ioana came 1st in the special anniversary
competition for Mozart Piano Concerto, 2nd in the Open Chopin Solo, and 2nd in the Open Sonata Solo. Then in
the Harrogate Music festival a pupil came 1st in the Open Bach Class, 1st in the Open Sonata Class, 1st in
Open the Chopin Class and was awarded a Cup for best overall pianist.
As a Composer
She was a finalist in both the 1996 & 2001 RTE Church Music Competition
with a setting of the Gloria and Psalm 23. The latter has now been published by Columba in Ireland and
recorded by RTE, Irish National Radio. This represents a small part of the liturgical music she composed
music for the Cathedral Choir and which was in regular use. She is particularly fond of composing for
wind instruments and her output includes wind trios, quintets, and a piece for 14 wind instruments
specially commissioned by the University of Limerick Orchestra. She is currently engaged on writing for
piano. She reached the final stage of the Leeds Heritage Singers competition which means she has agreed
to her composition, "God the Holy Spirit" being performed.
Relaxation
Moira likes nothing better than walking, photography and thinking,
especially in the realms of spiritual practice and philosophy. Her photography formed the basis of the
Choir Exhibition in St. Mary's Cathedral, Limerick, and she designed the innovative cards and took the
photographs for the 2001 & 2002 editions of the Christmas and General cards of the Companions of St.
Mary's Cathedral Music, Limerick.
She was also Secretary/Treasurer to the Companions.