Best Musical Director nomination for Deirdre

THE cast and crew of award-winning Claremorris Musical Society were delighted to have been recognised, once again, at the Association of Irish Musical Societies (AIMS) annual awards nominations, which were announced last weekend.

Following on from their widely acclaimed production of the dark comedy musical Little Shop of Horrors, performed in Claremorris Town Hall last January, the multi-talented Deirdre Lee (pictured) has been nominated for Best Musical Director by AIMS.

A music teacher in St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Castlebar, Deirdre is no stranger to music in the west and this nomination will come as a surprise to very few.

She has been musical director with Claremorris Musical Society for the past 13 years where she fulfils the role of chorus mistress, musical director and pianist for all performances. Alongside CMS, Deirdre has also been MD of Castlebar Musical and Dramatic Society since its first show in 2014.

The annual school musical produced each year in St. Joseph’s is highly regarded and Deirdre recently received a nomination for Best Musical Director in the inaugural Stagewise School Musical Awards for the school's production of All Shook Up earlier this year. She is also responsible for all things choral and lyrical in school and her school choirs have won numerous awards.

Deirdre has been musical director of the award-winning, and ever popular, Mayo Male Voice Choir since its formation 20 years ago. Under her direction, the choir have performed in many countries across Europe and have successfully competed in several choral festivals both at a national and international level.

Deirdre also became strongly involved with the highly acclaimed Mayo International Choral Festival when it started in 2012 and has been a member of the executive committee ever since.

The AIMS nominations recognise and affirm the dedication and commitment to musical theatre by actors, singers, musicians, directors, producers, choreographers, lighting/technical crews, set designers, visual effect teams, front of house managers and programme designers. These nominations and awards are, for many, the highlight of the musical year.

This nomination will be the fifth received by Claremorris, having previously been recognised in the categories of Best Ensemble, Best Stage Management, Best Comedian and Comedienne and Best Actress.

Claremorris Musical Society would like to congratulate all the AIMS nominees and wish them the very best. Huge congrats also to CMS member Kevin Murphy who received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Motel in 9 Arch Claregalway Musical Society’s production of Fiddler on the Roof.

Nominations were also received by Ballinrobe MS and Castlebar MDS and Claremorris MS would like to wish them the very best of luck at the awards ceremony.

All the members of cast and crew of Claremorris Musical Society are so delighted that Deirdre’s talents as musical director have been acknowledged by AIMS and wish her the very best of luck at the awards event which will take place in mid-September.