THE recent death of Kathleen O Murchadha in Galway deprived not only Galway but the whole of Ireland of a tireless campaigner for music education. Born in Glasgow in 1937 of Irish parents, she became a full-time music student of the School of Music in 1955, qualifying with the diplomas ARCM, LRAM, LTCL and the Scottish Teachers' Training Certificate.
Her work for the Department of Education in Glasgow as peripatetic music supervisor in six primary schools was the first step in a life dedicated to music education. In 1963 she married Aibhistin and moved to Ireland. She quickly attracted a number of private students and taught piano from beginner to diploma level. Never content to rest on her laurels, Kathleen pursued her own training, taking master classes with the distinguished pianist Kenneth van Barthold in London and Edinburgh.
In 1970 she became a part-time lecturer in music in the Department of Education at University College Galway and devised a music and school course as part of the Higher Diploma in Education syllabus. In 1972 she introduced an innovative music methodology course which explored a unique aural-visual-aural approach to music education. Subsequent generations of music teachers are indebted to her imaginative and stimulating ideas.
In 1982 Kathleen obtained a Mus.B from Trinity College Dublin, and soon afterwards devised the Diploma in Music Education course at UCG which provided a much needed professional qualification to music teachers. The course, which was over two years, included music methodology, psychology of music, education technology and Irish music. Kathleen herself not only devised the course but lectured in a number of subjects including instrumental studies and general musicianship.
Her tireless energy was shown by a further music-in-the-evening BA course and by her work with the Galway Music Association (GMA) from 1973 to 1981. As secretary of the GMA she was instrumental in bringing a number of outstanding national and international musicians to Galway. Among the highlights was a concert by Frank Patterson in Leisureland which attracted an audience of 1,200. Frank Patterson later acknowledged the importance of this concert in launching his career.
In 1990 Kathleen commenced work on a Ph.D exploring the field of pitch perception, and her innovative research in this field is surely a major work of scholarship. The conferring of this award in 1997 was fitting recognition of a life dedicated to music education and to an unceasing struggle for perfection in her art. To her many friends, students and colleagues, as well as to her family, her death is a sad loss. Kathleen's enthusiasm and commitment to her work was an inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing her. May her life and work be remembered with gratitude and joy.