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Irish Independent

Barbican Centre packed out as Louth music school pays tribute to beloved founder Olive Powderly

Drogheda Independent The Barbican Centre in Drogheda was packed to the rafters on May 10 as Toccata House Music School held a sold-out concert in tribute to its beloved founder, Olive Powderly. The evening brought together students, staff, families, and the wider Drogheda community for what many described as an unforgettable celebration of music and legacy. With every seat filled, and extra chairs brought in to accommodate the unexpected demand, the concert was a testament to Olive's enduring legacy. The evening was full of emotion, energy and music with students from all ages performing live alongside a 16-piece band made up of Toccata staff. The band played custom arrangements by Ed Pedrosa, covering everything from Bach to Bon Jovi and the crowd loved every minute of it. Parents watched proudly as their children took the stage, with students performing both group and solo pieces. The afternoon also included an afternoon showcase at the Barbican where students performed solo works, dedicated to their 'beloved and deeply missed founder, Olive Powderly.' 'It honestly blew us away,' said one of the organisers. 'The concert was completely sold out, and we even had to bring in extra chairs as more people arrived at the door. We're very grateful to Declan Power and The Barbican Centre for all their help and support in making the evening such a success,' said organisers. A standout moment of the evening was a performance by Gerry Simpson, who also projected images of Olive from the early days of Toccata in the 1990s. During the interval, a raffle was held, with all proceeds – along with donations from the evening's programmes – going to the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre. The concert ended on a high note with a sing-along finale of ABBA's Thank You for the Music, described as 'a real feel-good moment that captured the spirit of the evening with everyone holding each other's hands.' 'The energy in the Barbican was just amazing. Seeing the pupils and all the people whose lives Olive touched over the years shine, and hearing the audience join in with open hearts, reminded us how powerful music can be in bringing people together. It was one of those nights that stays with you. We had moments of tears, laughter, reflection, cheers, and pure joy — but most importantly, Olive's legacy lives on, and we saw that come to life throughout the night,' said the organisers. 'We've had so much lovely feedback since, with people telling us it was one of the best nights they've had in a long time. It truly felt like a special and heartfelt tribute to Olive.' Toccata House has confirmed that it 'will absolutely carry on' and is now taking bookings for the next school term starting September 2025. To book, contact Ed via toccatahouseinfo@ or telephone 089 2475616.