Tullamore International Summer Organ Series

Shane Brennan has held the post of Arts Education Officer for the Midlands since 2003. He was Director of the Schola Cantorum at St Finian’s College, Mullingar, from 1984 to 2003, and Director of Music at the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, from 1983 to 1997. Shane studied organ with Fr. Frank McNamara at the Schola Cantorum 1971-1977 and with Gerard Gillen as Organ Scholar at the Pro-Cathedral Dublin 1977-1982. After graduation from UCD, he was appointed Organ Scholar at Westminster Cathedral London. There he worked with Masters of Music Stephen Cleobury, James O Donnell and David Hill. In Ireland, Shane has given solo recitals at many festivals and has collaborated  with both the National Chamber Choir and the Irish Youth Choir. He is also well known as a choral adjudicator. Shane first played at the International Summer Organ Series, St Michael’s, Dun Laoghaire in 1979 and in 2013 he performed JS Bach’s Clavier-Übung III  there as part of the 40th anniversary celebration series. Shane performed once before at TISOS in 2001, as organist and conductor with the choir 'Flos Carmeli'. He also recorded a CD on this organ (SDG label) in 1997. Having given many recitals in Russia, Sweden and Lithuania, Shane was the first Irish organist to play in Kaliningrad, Russia, when he performed there as part of a prestigious international concert series - celebrating the newly built 141 stop Schuke organ - at the Cathedral Sobor in June 2009.