Dublin Student Wins 2024 Frank Maher Classical Music Awards

Pianist Ai Lin Sun (17) from the Institute of Education in Dublin, has won the €5,000 top prize at the 2024 Top Security Frank Maher Classical Music Awards, Ireland’s largest classical music competition for secondary schools

Ai Lin was one of six finalists at the competition night on Friday 25th October in the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin. Lyric FM presenter Marty Whelan was master of ceremonies for an evening of outstanding teen talent, at which Ai Lin performed two pieces ‘Etude Tableaux Op.33 No.8 in G minor’ by Sergei Rachmaninoff and ‘Appasionata’ Sonata, Op.57 No.23’ by Ludwig van Beethoven.

The Awards were created in 2001 by Top Security chairman Emmet O’Rafferty to honour the memory of his late teacher, Fr Frank Maher, who taught music at Castleknock College in Dublin.

Emmet said “On behalf of Top Security, congratulations to this year’s winner, Ai Lin Sun from the Institute of Education, and our equally talented finalists for their excellent performances on the night.  Fr. Frank Maher’s passion for classical music inspired many students and it’s a privilege to support these talented young musicians as they embark on their professional journeys. This competition not only recognises their hard work and dedication but also helps them pursue opportunities that can shape their musical futures. We wish them all the very best wherever their talent takes them.”

Commenting on her win, Ai Lin said “I am so delighted to have won, it was a wonderful night, and the pieces I chose, especially the Beethoven, with its passion and drive, represent the type of music I most enjoy playing. I plan to use my prize money to take part in international music competitions.”

 Two previous winners, violinists Daimee Ng from Dublin (2022) studying at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater (HfMT) Hamburg and Julieanne Forrest from Meath (2020) studying at MUK Vienna, performed a guest duet of ‘5 Pieces for 2 Violins and Piano’ by Dmitri Shostakovich with accompanist David Vesey.

 The Awards’ aim is to showcase exceptional young musical talent in Irish schools and are open to sixth year post-primary students of strings, woodwind, brass and piano. The €5,000 top prize must be used to attend a recognised place of tuition, a course of study in Ireland or abroad or on a purchase necessary for the development of their talent.

The 2023 winner, pianist Joe O’Grady from Dublin, is now studying music as part of his Bachelor degree at Harvard University in Massachusetts. Other winners have used the prize to further their studies at prestigious institutions that include the Juilliard School, New York, MUK Vienna, Barenboim-Said Akademie in Berlin, Hochschule für Musik und Theater (HfMT) Hamburg and the Royal College of Music in the UK.

The other five finalists each received a €300 bursary.  They were

  • Oscar Casey (18), Douglas Community School, Douglas, Cork (Cello)
  • Aidan Keane (17), Boyne Community School, Trim, Co. Meath (Piano)
  • Meadhbh Ní Chathasaigh (18), Gaelcoláiste Choilm, Ballincollig, Co. Cork (Violin)
  • Amhlaoibh Ó Siocháin Ó Beoláin (18), Coláiste an Phiarsaigh, Glanmire, Co. Cork (Piano)
  • Chloe O’Connor (18), Muckross Park College, Donnybrook, Dublin (Violin)

The judging panel was Dr Gerard Gillen, emeritus professor of music at NUI Maynooth, international classical pianist Veronica McSwiney and international violist Wolfgang Klos, professor of viola at the University of Music and the Performing Arts, Vienna. He was one of the adjudicators at the 25th Osaka International Music Competition earlier in October.

Dr Gerard Gillen, chair of the judging panel, said “Ai Lin Sun made a compelling impression with her combination of outstanding technical skill and rich range of emotional expression that made for performances that were rich in colour, excitement, and imaginative insight. She is clearly a performer whose future will be followed with the keenest interest.”