Mark Keane – Musical Director

Mark Keane is a native of Galway and a graduate of Trinity College Dublin and the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama where he studied organ with Peter Sweeney and conducting with Ite O'Donovan. While studying there he won a scholarship to the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam, the Actors' Church Union Award for advanced organ performance and numerous organ competitions at the Siemens Feis Ceoil. He currently enjoys masterclasses with Anne Marsden Thomas at the St. Giles International School in London. Mark also holds a Masters Degree in Chant and Ritual Studies from the University of Limerick as well as diplomas in organ and conducting from the Royal School of Music, Trinity College London and the London College of Music. He is currently undertaking doctoral studies at University College Dublin with Professor Harry White where his research is examining Roman Catholic Hymnody in Ireland from the fifth century to 1960.

From 1998 to 2008 Mark has directed the Galway Choral Association with great success. The choir have won numerous competitions including prizes at the Siemens Feis Ceoil, Navan Choral Festival and the Cork International Choral Festival. The choirs have released 3 CD’s (Feast of Carols 1998, Lumen 2003, Mary’s Lullaby 2004) and their fourth album Lux Hibernae will be released in November 2007. Highlights include performing Mozart's Coronation Mass in St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna in 2006 with the Czech Virtuoso Chamber Orchestra to celebrate the composer's 250th birthday and taking part in the International Congress of Pueri Cantores in Cologne Dom in 2005.

Mark is currently Head of Music at Galway Community College where he directs a Post Leaving Cert course in Music Performance and Production. He has also been organist at the Church of Christ the King since 1992 and is in great demand as a solo concert organist and accompanist. Performances include recitals at St. Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney; St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral and Kings Chapel, Boston; St. James Cathedral, Toronto; and venues in Ireland such as Galway Cathedral, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin; St. Michael's Church, Dun Laoghaire; Waterford Cathedral and the National Concert Hall.

Mark has been honoured with several awards for his contribution to music, culture and charitable work in Galway. These include the Mayor of Galway's Award for Arts and Culture; REHAB People of the Year Award; and both local and national awards with the Galway Junior Chamber of Commerce.