Students of Music Technology at UL were treated to the very definition of a Masterclass when esteemed Alumnus, Patrick Cassidy shared his unique experiences in a special class on Music Composition for Film.
LA-based, international composer, Patrick Cassidy returned to UL as a guest of the CSIS Department and the UL Alumni Association. He set up his own studio on campus and invited a select group of students to join him in composing sample music cues for film.
Later in the day, Patrick delivered a Seminar to a wider audience, including fellow-alumni, which began with a movie reel of his vast array of music-film work, including clips of yet to be released new movies. Those who attended were hugely appreciative of the opportunity to learn from Patrick and were particularly struck by his generosity in sharing his insights, advice and encouragement through a very active Q&A session. Accompanied by his manager/brother, Frank Cassidy, Patrick also thrilled the audience with a preview of his first opera, ‘Dante’ which will open in Dublin in Spring 2017.
Patrick Cassidy was first honoured by the University of Limerick in 2007 when he received a UL Alumni Award for his contribution to Arts & Culture. Patrick graduated from UL with a BSc in Applied Mathematics in 1985 and left Ireland in 1999 to pursue his music career in Los Angeles. In 2015, he was honoured at the inaugural Richard Harris International Film Festival, held in Limerick, with the Outstanding Talent Award. The award-winning Composer is increasingly spending time in Ireland and among his recent works was the score for RTE’s ‘1916 The Irish Rebellion’ and the much-lauded ‘Mise Eire’, a hauntingly beautiful and moving arrangement of Pearse’s poem.
Patrick was also a key contributor to the GAA’s ‘Laochra’ spectacle at Croke Park on 24th April held to commemorate the actual centenary of the 1916 Rising.