Music and artistry in Ireland

As an active participant in many of Concordia University, Nebraska’s music ensembles, I have traveled over 20,000 miles for tours in the past two years. This spring, I had the opportunity to travel internationally to Ireland as a part of the University A Cappella Choir.  

As a lover of both music and travel, this trip was a mountain-top experience. I was able to spend nine days immersing myself in Ireland’s culture and music while spreading the Gospel through music with my fellow choir members. 

Something that struck me was not just the amount of music we performed and experienced but how seamlessly it was woven into daily life. Music was not an art reserved for special or formal occasions but was integrated into daily life. People stopped to listen to buskers on busy streets, gathered in pubs to hear local musicians perform and participated in singing songs they had known for years. Music felt less like an exclusive art form and more like a shared aspect of culture.  

In addition to hearing genres like choral and pop, we also heard traditional Irish music and instruments, namely the uillean pipes. These are frequently compared to bagpipes, but they have a more expressive sound. Hearing this type of music gave me a greater appreciation for Ireland’s musical heritage and the way music passes down through generations. One night, we had the opportunity to see traditional Irish dance in tandem with the music which only deepened my appreciation for the rich artistic heritage of the island. 

Singing in the Irish cathedrals added another layer to the musicality of the trip. The stone walls, high ceilings and expansive sanctuaries created beautiful reverberations that allowed the notes to settle around the audience long after the choir had stopped singing. Beyond their acoustics, these spaces all held their own rich histories which added depth to the performing experience.  

At each concert we gave, we received positive reactions from the audience. This was something that made me further appreciate the work that I get to do with the A Cappella Choir. Although the audience members came from all different countries and backgrounds and had varying levels of English fluency, the effect of the music remained the same. It was a visible reminder of the fact that music can reach people in ways that words cannot.  

Due to the fact that most of the venues we performed in now function as historical sites and tourist attractions, we had people consistently coming and going from our concerts during performances. While initially this caught me off guard, it quickly became one of the more meaningful parts of the trip. It was another example of music reaching the people around us. Some people only stayed for a song or two, but others took a seat for the remainder of the concert. Their willingness to engage with our art made me more appreciative of having the privilege to create that art.  

Beyond music, I also had the opportunity to visit art and history museums, as well as admire the architecture throughout the country. Experiencing visual art alongside music reinforced the importance of arts in Irish culture. Whether through paintings, architecture, dance or song, creative expression could be found at every turn.  

While I arrived in Ireland expecting to perform music, I was not expecting to see music so often in daily life. It gave me a better understanding of what music can be when it is not confined to professionals. I saw music bring people together, preserve cultural traditions and create meaningful experiences for performers and listeners alike. Whether through a cathedral concert, a traditional performance or a busker on the street, music served as a means of connection and a thing of joy.  

As a musician, it was inspiring to see so many people embrace partaking in music regardless of their personal level of musical accomplishment. It served as a reminder to me that the importance and beauty of music lie not in its ability to entertain others, but in its ability to bring people together. 

Michaela Gibbs is a junior at Concordia University, Nebraska. She is earning her B.A. in Music with a performance concentration, her B.A. in Journalism and Public Relations and a minor in Spanish. Following her expected graduation in May 2028, Gibbs intends on earning her master’s in operatic performance and working internationally in music journalism or arts administration. 

Concordia University, Nebraska’s music programs offer students rigorous preparation to glorify God in their future vocations through the study and performance of music. Through applied lessons, participation in one or more of the outstanding ensembles or academic music pursuits, hundreds of students of any major can make great music and lifelong friendships at Concordia.