March 2006
Talking to Alison Young - Organist, Accompanist, Conductor	Show Menu

While Alison Young must be personally known to hundreds of musicians and students, her name also will be familiar to literally thousands of concertgoers — as will the name of her late husband William (Bill). When the Editor met her in her house in Rathfarnham, she rambled on (as she said she would!) about her very full and interesting musical life.

Tell me first of all about your early musical education. Did you grow up in a musical family?

Yes; my mother — who came from Glasgow — was very musical. She came from a home where there was a harmonium. They would sing hymns around it on Sunday nights.

My father’s family grew up in Crumlin — in the days when it was a village, and I think some of his sisters played the organ. So there was that sort of musical back-ground.

Well, when did you start to learn to play?

I started piano lessons at about the age of six. I loved them straightaway and always found it easy to read music. I kind of drifted along but sort of gave it up but when I was 10 or 11. However, at about 13 I went back and started in the Municipal School of Music (as it was then) where I had piano lessons with Sidney Grieg.

When I was about 17 he said to me one day ”Alison would you like tolearn the organ”. I had never thought about that, but he said to come to the Abbey Church next Tuesday where he would give me an organ lesson — and that was the start. I went in for the Junior Organ competition at the Feis Ceoil a few months later and won it. I did however take my piano diplomas later.

And did you go any further with the organ?

I won all the organ cups that were going in the Feis. But accompanying is what I always loved.

I was learning the organ for about six months when Mr Grieg said one day “There’s an organist’s job going in Clontarf Methodist Church and I think you should go for it”. I was appointed and was there for about two or three years before going to York Road Church Dún Laoghaire.

I had met Bill at this stage. He applied for the job of Vicar Choral in St Patrick’s Cathedral. I started in York Road and he started in St Patrick’s the same day. We became engaged on the strength of his new job! He was working in insurance but was able to leave each day in time for Evensong at 4.00 p.m. He had a very busy singing car-eer and over the years we did many concerts together.

After ten years in York Road I went to Adelaide Road Presbyterian, succeeding Professor T H Weaving, who had died. I had a wonderful choir in Adelaide Road Church. (I didn’t realise how good it was until I left!) We did an anthem every Sunday morning and every Sunday evening. We won the Lennox Braid cup twice and the Stanford cup too.

Adelaide Road Church had a strong connection with the Trostan Singers whose conductor was Molly Dunlop and over a period of about 25 years I played many of the major oratorios for them, including Elijah, Creation, the Brahms Requiem, and Messiah every Christmas.

I had wonderful times there, but eventually the church began to change, and after 21 years I felt it was time to retire, which I did — in 1989 I think.

In 1977 Dr Veronica Dunne had asked me would I go to the College of Music asanaccompanist and repetiteur. I was there until two years ago, working with third-level singing students. I recall Patricia Barden — who now sings all over the world, Imelda Drumm and Liz Nolan of Lyric FM fame; most of the students still keep in touch with me. I had a privileged career there.

Tell me about setting up the Seafield Singers.

In 1990 Bill was approached by John Rowden who told him that there had been a choir in the Clontarf area, now without a con-ductor, but who were keen to stay together. Bill was interested in being their conductor as he had just retired from business life.

Bill started the choir in September of that year and ran it for ten years. However, in 2000 Bill became ill some months before the May concert. The choice was to abandon the concert or for me to take over. I took all the rehearsals and I conducted — somewhat nervously, as I had never stood up in front of such a large choir before.

Sadly Bill died in March 2001. The funeral was in his beloved St Patrick’s Cathedral and he is buried in the adjoining graveyard.

I felt that I owed it to Bill to continue his work. Eric de Courcy helps me regularly. The profits of all concerts go to charity. After last Christmas’s concert, we were able to send €4000 to Christian Aid.

Over the years we have collaborated with the East Cork Choral Society, whose conductor is Colin Nicholls and we have performed Messiah, Elijah and the St Matthew Passion. However, at the end of the day if I were given the choice, I’d rather be playing than conducting!

So you’re still as busy as ever?

I do lots of deputy work in churches and a great dealoffreelance accompanying including being official accompanist for the Feis Ceoil.

What about your family?

I have three children and six grandchildren. Granddaughter Jane, aged 15 and living in Scotland is a cellist and last year got through to the quarter finals of the BBC Young Musician of the Year. She studies at Chethams School Manchester. Two years ago she performed in a Seafield Singers concert.

What non-musical activities have you?

Well, I play bridge and I do a bit bowling and I am on the board of Brabazon House. I go to many concerts. The love of my life was my marriage to Bill and the music we shared. Since his death, it is music that keeps me going.

Back to Soundboard 11, Contents Page.

<<Previous | Next >>