Royal Irish Academy of Music composition award for Tipperary student

The Rockwell Academy near Cashel celebrated last Friday as they announced that student Claudine McGrath had won a Royal Irish Academy of Music Composition Competition.

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Claudine was accompanied by proud mum Carol on the day.

Rockwell Music Academy Director Suzanne Buttimer said they are very proud of Claudine for winning the RIAM Composition Competition.

Claudine’s Waltz will be published in the upcoming Grade 2 album. This is a testament to her hard work and talent guided by the exemplary tutor Fidelma Nugent.

Patsy Jo Culleton was our previous winner and is now an integral member of our Youth Orchestra and Junior Piano Dept. Huge thanks also to our supporters and enablers and a special mention also to the afternoon’s performers - Orlaith McCarra, Claudine McGrath and Sara Ungurean.

We are immensely proud of our musical family and in the words of the honourable representative Marion Daly of the Royal Irish Academy of Music “We are all inspired!”

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Claudine’s RMA Tutor Fidelma Nugent commented “I am very excited that Claudine McGrath has won the Royal Irish Academy of Music Piano Composition Competition 2025. Her original piece, Claudine’s Waltz, will be published in the forthcoming RIAM Grade 2 Piano Album: a wonderful national recognition of her creativity and musicianship. Claudine has shown remarkable imagination and dedication in developing her compositional skills, and it has been a privilege to work with her through that process. To see her work acknowledged at this level is a very proud moment, not only for her and her family, but for our wider Rockwell Music Academy community”.

Congratulations Claudine, we wish you the best for your future in music!