Matheson Recognises RIAM Students with Three Bursary Awards

Matheson has awarded three bursaries to students of the Royal Irish Academy of Music ("RIAM") as part of a strand of student supports sponsored by the firm.
Launched in 2022, the partnership supports RIAM’s innovative and bespoke 'Holistic Programme', which equips musicians at the RIAM with a wide-ranging set of skills to thrive in today’s music world.  

The partnership also sees Matheson funding three student awards annually, with this year's winners including:

• Martina Rosaria O'Connell, RIAM MMus Student, Recipient of the Environmental Creative Project Award.  Martina commissioned a piece of music from composer Laura Shiels that formed the basis of this project in which 150 young people from St Vincent's DEIS school in Ballybough worked together to add a rhythmical accompaniment and musically make their own, child-friendly musical composition.
• Adam Buttimer, RIAM BMus student, recipient of the Diversity and Inclusion Creative Project Award. Adam's free summer camp for neurodiverse children, adults and their families was held over a three day period and offered concerts and participatory experiences with classical music in an autism friendly environment.
• Laoise McMullin, RIAM MMus student, recipient of the Music Composition Award. Laoise, with support from her mentor, composer Michael Fleming, created a new signature tune for Matheson and a fanfare for the official opening of the RIAM’s state-of-the-art Whyte Recital Hall on 12 October 2023.

Michael Jackson, Managing Partner, Matheson commented:
“On behalf of Matheson, I would like to congratulate each of the talented winners on their achievements – I have no doubt that they have bright futures ahead of them.  Supporting the arts is a key focus of our Impactful Business Programme and creating an environment in which excellence can thrive is an integral part of our culture as a firm.  The RIAM shares our values of partnership, diversity, innovation and entrepreneurship, and this partnership represents a unique opportunity to foster interaction between Matheson’s commercial expertise and the artistic endeavours of the RIAM’s gifted musicians.  We hope that this partnership will continue to empower students to harness their creativity while growing the business skills needed to thrive in their professional careers.”

Commenting on the partnership and bursary awards, RIAM Director, Deborah Kelleher, said:
“The RIAM's graduates are entering a working environment which will require them to adopt flexible and market-focused skills, using their creativity to forge sustainable and healthy careers in a rapidly changing world.  The RIAM prides itself on preparing its family of graduates for the music profession and is delighted to welcome the expertise and support of Matheson, which as an organisation, understands that breaking through requires excellence and creativity, and the ability to adapt skills and knowledge to diverse environments.  This exciting partnership greatly assists in bridging the gap between the education of and entry into the profession for our talented students through the important sponsorship of the RIAM's Holistic Programme and three annual awards for our students.”

Pictured : (L-R) Adam Buttimer, Recipient of the Diversity and Inclusion Creative Project Award; Martina Rosaria O'Connell, Recipient of the Environmental Creative Project Award; Laoise McMullin, Recipient of the Music Composition Award; and Michael Jackson, Managing Partner, Matheson.