Community in harmony with Tipp opera singer's ambition
A hardworking group of local supporters are crucial in helping talented baritone Dylan Rooney fulfill his dream of studying at the Guildhall in London, writes .
The road to a professional career on the recital platform or opera stage is not an easy one for any aspiring Irish singer but it is the one that Dylan Rooney is set on.
After a quick trip back to Dublin for his BA graduation ceremony, young baritone from Toomevara, Co Tipperary is back in the practice rooms at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music in London, immersing himself in college life as a student on the Masters’ in Performance.
“Each day at Guildhall offers as completely new experience for me,” he says.
“Throughout the week we have various performance classes in French, German, Italian and English. I’ve had the challenge of singing in Russian and Czech.
"Movement and drama are among my favourite classes of the week as we get to learn all the tips and tricks of the trade.”
Rooney has just learned that he has made the shortlist of six from the programme selected to perform with the legendary song pianist, Graham Johnson, at a showcase concert in at the Guildhall in March.
Rooney is accustomed to the big stage and arrives in London garlanded with awards and prizes in major competitions.
His first big break was when he beat off competition from break dancers, musicians, comedians and up and coming bands to scoop the top prize of €1000 in a Tipperary Talent Competition as a twelve-year-old boy soprano back in 2009.
This writer came across him a few years later when the Rooney played the role of the sinister Herr Zeller, in a production of the Sound of Music by Nenagh Choral Society.
Traditionally a non-singing role, the producer decided that it was a pity to waste a good singing voice and added a traditional German song in keeping with the Nazi theme.
Rooney’s excellent vocal ability and stage presence were noted, although he was just then sixteen years old.
Rooney’s introduction to singing came early on at his primary school in Toomevara, about six miles east of Nenagh.
“My principal Joan O’Meara made it mandatory for all students from 1st class up to 6th to sing in the choir.
If I wasn’t encouraged at that stage, I would never have discovered that singing was something I would get a great release from.
Rooney came to the attention of his local community through singing in his local church.
A group of supporters there, spearheaded by local author Fran O Brien got together to help young singer in his efforts to help raise the funds needed to cover the costs of post-grad study in London.
“We heard him singing in our local church at Easter and we were excited to hear about his going to Guildhall.
"We were mindful of the high costs, so we decided to organise a concert to help him.”
Between fees and living expenses, Rooney estimates that a year will set any aspiring soloist something in the region of €28,000.
Fran O’Brien already has an impressive track record in fundraising for the LauraLynn Foundation through donating the proceeds of her novels to the charity.
Rooney is appreciative of all the support he gets.
“To have Fran and the committee involved in the organisation of these concerts, setting up radio interviews, and out on the streets selling tickets means an incredible deal to me,” he says.
Even more so now that I’m away starting on the road to establishing myself abroad in London.
"I am so fortunate to have people like this supporting me, offering up their free time to do this to help me raise funds and continue my studies.
"I couldn’t have done this all without them for sure.”
Rooney is due back in Tipperary for Christmas and will perform a programme of seasonal music for two nights in the church where he first began his performing career as a boy soprano.
Joining him will be other young artists, pianist Maire Carroll, Caroline Behan (soprano) from Kildare, Katie Richardson McCrea (mezzo) from Dublin, and David Kennedy (tenor).
For now, it is back to the practice room for more scales, arpeggios and a spot of historical research in the library before the day is over.
