Latest News from Siobhan

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Siobhan and her family - both in Australia and Wales - would like to offer our sincere thanks for all the kind words of condolence that we have received since the passing of Siobhan's grandfather, Ken Owen. Ken was very proud of Siobhan and her achievements, and delighted in telling everyone all about her. He was a real gentleman, would do anything for anyone, and had a great sense of humour. Like Siobhan, Ken was a very warm, giving and humble person. He will be greatly missed by everyone.

Because of our unexpected journey back to Wales we are now having to watch our pennies! We were unable to attend the recent Aled Jones concert in Adelaide, and are uncertain whether we can go to the Katherine Jenkins or Celtic Woman concerts here in October. I'm sure there will be other chances though.

Renowned composer, producer and arranger Bill Whelan has worked extensively in theatre, film and television. His Grammy winning album of music for "Riverdance The Show" is certified Platinum in the US, Ireland and Australia.

Bill recently watched a video of Siobhan singing "Dark Iniseoghain" at the Adelaide Festival Theatre, and sent the following message to Siobhan:

After posting this on Siobhan's facebook, Glyn MacLean (manager of New Zealand classical-crossover singer Yulia and director/manager of Oikos Music) posted:

Jim O'Leary, from Waterford Crystal, is currently touring Australia to promote the beautiful crystal ware. Siobhan was invited to sing and play harp at his Adelaide demonstration and signing event at David Jones store - her fee being a choice of crystal ware of her own (up to a certain value of course!). Siobhan chose a bowl and stem vase designed by Jasper Conran. This year is Jim's 50th anniversary working for Waterford - starting as a floor sweeper, then glass blower, working up to designer and now design director and global spokesperson.

While Jim was signing Siobhan's pieces, he thanked her for making him feel at home and congratulated her on a beautiful performance saying:

About Waterford Crystal

Waterford Crystal is a trademark brand of crystal glassware, previously produced in Waterford, Ireland, though the factory there was shut down after the receivership of Waterford Wedgwood plc in early 2009. Waterford Crystal is still produced in other locations throughout Europe, notably Germany and the Czech Republic.

Waterford's chandeliers hang in well-known buildings like Windsor Castle, Westminster Abbey, and the Kennedy Center, and they made the 2,668 crystals for the famous New Year's Eve Ball that is dropped each year in New York City's Times Square.

Sporting trophies are also crafted by Waterford, such as the Masters Series crystal shield trophies, the AFCA National Championship Trophy, the winning trophies for the French and German Grand Prix in Formula One, and a representation of the Ashes urn that is presented to the winners of the Test cricket series between England and Australia. They also design the trophies for the People's Choice Awards.

Mary MacKillop was born in Melbourne but spent most of her life in South Australia (Penola and Adelaide) where she was a teacher and co-founder of the Sisters of Joseph order. She is about to become Australia's first Saint, her Canonisation taking place in Rome on October 17th. Mary MacKillop's story is very interesting and can be read here - http://www.marymackillop.org.au.

The Adelaide Archdiocese is planning major celebrations based around significant sites in Adelaide and Penola to coincide with the canonisation ceremony in Rome. The Adelaide event on October 17 will involve a procession from the historic Sisters of St Joseph Convent and Chapel in Kensington, to St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral and Mary MacKillop Plaza, where she established her first school in the city. The Rome ceremony will be televised on a large outdoor screen and on screens inside St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral. A festival atmosphere will be created in the Plaza and the adjacent Victoria Square with food outlets, music and entertainment for the thousands of pilgrims.

Although Expressions of Interest to perform at the celebrations had gone out to multi-cultural, multi-faith bands, dance groups, choirs etc, the committee decided to ask Siobhan to perform as the only soloist. They have great respect for Siobhan, not only as a singer, but as a "humble, honest, selfless young lady who regularly supports church events without seeking profit or publicity".

Each year Recitals Australia presents a spring series and autumn series of concerts held at lunch time. These recitals showcase a range of performers presenting a 40 minute recital at 12.10pm and 1.10pm each Wednesday. From the experienced to the new performers, these quality concerts offer over 80 high calibre musicians a year, the opportunity to hone their performance skills by presenting polished programs in a public recital venue. Siobhan has been presenting lunch hour concerts for Recitals Australia since she was 13 (the youngest vocalist to present a solo recital for them). She will be presenting her 5th recital on September 22nd, showcasing her classical singing, accompanied on piano by John Hall. She will most likely throw in a few little folk songs with harp, as she did last year. There is no fee associated with these recitals, but they offer good performance experience and exposure to the artists. Anybody living in the Adelaide area is very welcome to attend. Entry is only $5! Details are in the Coming Events section below.

The 2010 Radio Adelaide Live Music Fest will be happening in the week 13 to 19 September. Siobhan will be giving a live performance and interview about 2pm (Adelaide time) on Monday 13th September. You can hear this on 101.5fm or online at http://radio.adelaide.edu.au/listenonline/. This will be Siobhan's 4th year performing at the Live Music Fest.

On Tuesday 28 September at 9.15pm, Siobhan will be singing live (just one acapella song) on the Peter Goers Evening show on ABC Adelaide (891 am). This is at the request of Andrew Philpott who will also be there promoting the Kapunda Celtic Festival. Siobhan did this 2 years ago and received lovely compliments from Peter Goers and listeners who phoned in afterwards.

Siobhan has a thing about umbrellas. She has a few small fold-up types, but adores the full length ones walking stick type handles. Trouble is, she doesn't always have much luck with them (maybe because she often puts them up indoors!). She bought a beautiful white frilled umbrella in Portarlington for $60. A couple of days after getting back to Adelaide, she left the umbrella in a food hall. Of course, by the time she had realised it and went back to check, the umbrella had disappeared :(

When we were in Wales, Siobhan spotted a lovely black and white striped umbrella on sale for £10. She couldn't pass up on a bargain like that so bought it. Siobhan Siobhan with her (bargain) stripey umbrella

proudly carried that umbrella everywhere we went over there. It was only when we were packing the night before our departure that we realised the umbrella was too big to fit into a suitcase and obviously not allowed as hand luggage! We didn't have the time or materials needed to pack it up and take as checked luggage, so the relatives said they would send it by post. It was 2 weeks before they found an appropriate box to send it in, then another week later it finally arrived in Australia! We were shocked to see the postage had cost almost £40 - making it a £50 (about $90 AU). She is almost afraid of taking it anywhere now, in case she loses it!!

Monday 13 September, 2pm - Live performance and interview for Radio Adelaide's Live Music Fest. Listen in on 101.5fm (Adelaide) on online at http://radio.adelaide.edu.au.

Sunday 19 September, 2pm - Performing at the Harp Society of South Australia's AGM.

Tuesday 21 September, 1pm - Performing for residents of the Ananda Nursing Home, Hope Valley.

Wednesday 22 September, 1.10pm - Siobhan is giving a 40 minute Lunch Hour Concert at 1.10pm for a Recitals Australia. Recorded by Radio Adelaide and 5MBS.

Tuesday 28 September, 9.15pm - Siobhan singing live (one song acapella) on Peter Goers' Evening Show on ABC 891 Adelaide radio - to promote the Kapunda Celtic Festival.

17 October, time tba - Performing at the Mary Mackillop Canonisation celebrations, Adelaide.

22-24 October, times tba - Performing at the Fleurieu Folk Festival, Willunga, South Australia.

There are a couple of quite exciting gigs coming in December which we are not allowed to publicise yet ... so keep tuned!!

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Siobhan's albums "Purely Celtic" and "Celestial Echoes" can be ordered from her website. "Celestial Echoes" is also available to download at iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby.

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About Waterford Crystal