Welcome to the October edition of Siobhan's Newsletter. These newsletters are sent out regularly to keep Siobhan's frientds up to date with her latest news and events. 

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On October 4th, Siobhan celebrated her 16th Birthday. It's amazing to think how much this young lady has achieved already in her life, and we wonder where she will be and what she will be doing in 5 or 10 years time!

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Siobhan's second album has been released at last! "Celestial Echoes", includes classical pieces with wonderful piano accompaniment, and Celtic songs from Ireland, Scotland and Wales with Siobhan accompanying herself on harp.

"The recording shows, without pretence, the beauty and honesty in Siobhan's vocals."

The album can be ordered from Siobhan's website at www.siobhanowen.com (where there are samples of all the tracks). Within the next month or two it will be available to download on iTunes. We are also hoping to get some local Music Stores to stock them.

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On September 9th Siobhan was delighted to be judged the winner of the 2009 Adelaide Eisteddfod Junior Vocal Championship (ages 14 - 18). The competition was stiff, with each entrant singing an Italian Aria, an English Art Song and a song by an Australian Composer. Because of her win, Siobhan was invited to sing at the "Special Award Winners' Concert" which was attended by the Governor of South Australia.

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On the afternoon of Thursday 24th September Siobhan and her harp went to the Adelaide Festival Theatre with the school's Head of Music to do a sound check for and rehearsal for her evening performance. She apparently "blew everyone away" with her rendition of "Dark Iniseoghain" - one guy telling her she could be the next Loreena McKennitt! When the evening came she repeated her wonderful performance - this time to an audience of around 2,400 - and again made a great impression. She received lots of praise over the following days, including an email from a lady called Kylie saying:

" I attended the Catholic Schools Music Festival last night and was 'blown away' by your performance.  I went to watch my nephew in the Festival  Choir, not expecting to me mesmerised by such an amazing performance.  I  could not move, I was spell bound. It was beautiful!"

The photo on the left shows Siobhan tuning her harp in her dressing room at the Festival Theatre before her performance.

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With great regret, Siobhan recently resigned from the St Francis Xavier Cathedral Choir.  Her decision to leave was because she was unhappy with the choice of Choir music since the Cathedral's new music policy came into effect.

Siobhan joined the Choir three years ago after being chosen to sing solo at the 11 am Mass for the Official Launch of the “Child Protection Act”. She had never been to a Solemn Mass at the Cathedral before and she instantly fell in love with the Choir's beautiful music.  She asked the Music Director at what age could she join the choir, and was told she was welcome to join right away!  She was offered a Choral Scholarship a short time later, which helped to pay for her music education. 

It was a huge commitment going to Choir rehearsals every Thursday evening and Mass every Sunday, as well as trying to fit in her other musical activities, homework and social time, but it was worth the effort! Singing with the choir helped improve Siobhan's sight reading and choral ability.  Being offered solos and regular Cantor spots also helped with her confidence.  Many of the choral pieces were quite challenging, but it was so rewarding for her to sing some of the most beautiful Sacred Music ever written by such great Composers, with one of the best Choirs in Adelaide.  After the change in music policy, Siobhan no longer felt challenged.  It really upset her that the choir were no longer allowed to sing from their wonderful repertoire, or to proudly wear their robes that identified them as members of the St Francis Xavier Cathedral Choir.

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Big, big month!! September's gigs started on Monday 7th with Siobhan singing and playing harp on Radio Adelaide's "Classical Connections" show as part of the "Live Music Fest". The following day she was performing in the school Spring Concert (Concert Choir, "Catch 22" Vocal Jazz ensemble, Drum Corps and solo voice & harp). On the 8th and 9th Siobhan was competing in the Adelaide Eisteddfod, where she was won the "Junior Vocal Championship", with her classical singing, ond on Saturday 12th she was performing in the Kapunda Celtic Festival!

Sunday 20th she performed at the Irish Hall Afternoon Cabaret fundraiser, followed by bump in and rehearsal at the theatre for "Jesus Christ Superstar". The following day she was singing classical again at the Adelaide Eisteddfod "Special Award Winners' Concert". On the Wednesday she was at the Festival Theatre with her snare drum, performing with the SAC Drum Corps (which she is Captain of). Thursday she was back at the Festival Theatre as featured soloist, singing and playing harp. Friday 25th was open night for "Jesus Christ Superstar", which went for 8 shows and was quite a success!

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Here is a list of Siobhan's performances over the next couple of months:

• Saturday 3 October, 11.45am - Private Wedding
  Siobhan playing harp and singing at wedding in the "Hemeji Gardens" in the Adelaide Parklands.
• Thursday 8 October, 2pm - North Eastern Community Hospital - Dementia Ward
  The patients in the Dementia Ward responded well to her last performance, so she was asked to return.
• Saturday 24 October - Fleurieu Folk Festival
  Two 45 minute performances:
  12.30pm - Village Marquee
  5pm - Young Performers Marquee
  The Festival goes from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October.
• Sunday 25 October - Fleurieu Folk Festival
  Siobhan will be involved in the Fleurieu Folk Festival Finale Concert in the Young Performers Marquee

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