About Claire Roche – by John Willmott, Celtic Ways

Claire’s musical performance is so unique that it is hard to say “she is like …..”, but it seems people do like to have some kind of reference to something they know of before they open to something new.

Not only is Claire’s music unique, but it is emotionally moving especially when we are present in her live performance.

We think of a harp and what it sounds like and then we think of singers and what they sound like. We try to think of singers and harps together, but we still cannot match the uniqueness, passion, intimacy and personal restoration of our soul that is present during a performance by Claire.

Claire has a passion for words and the spirit and expression or words. Rather than follow a quest to be a harper, Claire has chosen the harp to be her accompliment, her choir, her veil to the “otherworld” that transcends her words and passion to gently warm the hearts of those who are present and fire their spirits into passion, courage, tears, love and laughter.

The Call To Study

After earning a degree in English and Literature at University College, Dublin and a diploma in Anglo Irish Literature from Trinity College, Dublin Claire advanced her intimate studies into literature through to a Master of Arts Degree.

Already a piano player and writer of passionate, intimate and poetic songs Claire experienced a calling to study playing the harp as a vehicle for sharing her songs.

She studied Irish harp with Mairin Ferritear at Sion Hill Convent, Dublin,
Concert harp with Catriona Yeats at the College of Music, Dublin,
and Denise Kelly of the Royal Academy of Music in Dublin who continues to be her mentor.

The Blossom and Fruits from Claire’s Studies and Inspiration

With permission from the family of W.B. Yeats, Claire combined her passions of literature and harp to create an outstanding work of Yeats poems set to music, now recorded as a collection onto a cd aptly titled “Dancing In The Wind”.

On the RTE Radio 2 series “Sounds Promising”, during 1982 Claire aired a live performance of her musical interpretation of the Yeats poem “To A Child Dancing In The Wind” along with a very passionate original song, loved more than ever today, called “Fields In Fasseroe”.

In 1986 Claire earned second place in the “Song With Harp” competition at the Keadue Harp Festival through performing “Fields of Fasseroe” and the epic Yeats poem “Stolen Child” that Claire has added magic to with her music composition and arrangement.

Introducing The Harp to Weddings

It was 1988 when Claire turned professional due to her idea of offering harp music and songs for wedding ceremonies, something that did not appear to be offered at the time. Today, hardly a wedding service, especially in Ireland, is performed without the presence of harp music.

Also in 1988 Claire was included in various broadcasts such as her musical performance of “He Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven” on RTE Radio 2’s series “Cursai” along with her musical arrangement of Austin Clarke’s “The Planter’s Daughter” demonstrating Claire’s expansion into musical interpretation of work by other Anglo Irish writers.

And Then The World

As you will read on the “Performances” page on this site, Claire has now evolved from performances at Irish Weddings to intimate concert performances around Australia, New Zealand, USA, and UK as well as Ireland, either solo, or with poets, or a selection of other intimate musician composers.

I know that Claire is extremely thankful to William Ramouter, her support in the USA, and Rosemary Moore in Australia who tirelessly arranged most of Claire’s Australia touring and venues.

Though Claire has many arrangements being arranged for future performances in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and UK she is keen to travel and perform in as many countries that would invite her.

To Invite Claire To Perform For You

Claire is not just limited to providing an intimate concert performances, either. Claire has enjoyed interactive sessions, that we used to call “ceilidhs” when I lived on a Scottish island. These are where Claire’s songs and tunes are shared with the music, stories, poetry and even prayers of those present.

You can invite Claire from here .

Recordings

“Dancing In The Wind” – poems by W.B. Yeats set to music, re-released 1997

“Out Of The Ordinary” – original songs composed by Claire, released 1999

“The Lilt Of The Banshee” – a carefully chosen selection of Irish songs and music, released 2000

You can hear audio samples and purchase CDs here

“An Irish Wedding Ceremony” – presenting songs and music Claire performed at weddings was released in 2000 but has been withdrawn and will be re-released in the near future.

Claire has recently returned to playing piano and her next cd is likely to be a collection of re-mixed and re-recorded songs that Claire composed during her very young years in her family home of “Chesterfield” in South Dublin. This has the working title of “Antiquities” but the release title will be entirely different.

Claire also has accumulated a large collection of original, traditional and ancient songs that have become popular in live performances but are not yet released as recordings. I am not sure how Claire will release these

I highly recommend listening out for “Dedication” and an ancient Gaelic song dedicated to St. Brigid that Claire now regularly performs. These two songs are likely to become quite mainstream in the media. Live versions are now available on Marc Gunn’s Celtic Music Podcast, that are usually in the top 10, if not number 1, most downloaded podcast on iTunes.
download the podcast
or search and request the podcast from your iTunes service.

My book, "The Harp: A Veil Between Two Worlds", should be released by Brigid's Imbolc, March 2008, and this will, hopefully, include a cd of Claire's work that has inspired and even is part of the story and guide.

Invitation …

So, though what Claire has performed has been stunning to date, based on recent performances where her new songs are more moving and old songs sung with even more passion ..... I feel the best is yet to come.

Please consider inviting Claire to your event, your space ..... while you can.