A musician from Cork is set to receive a special award from Prince Charles this Wednesday following his work mentoring children.
Percussionist Ruairi Glasheen, who now completing a Masters at the Royal College of Music in London, will be the first ever recipient of the President's Award, which aims to honour a student for outstanding work in the community.
He will be presented with a rose bowl, carved from a piece of oak from the Prince of Wales’ Duchy of Cornwall estate.
The award was created to celebrate 20 years of Prince Charles as president of the Royal College of Music.
Prince Charles will present the award before hearing Mr Glasheen and children from the college’s ‘sparks juniors’ programme in a special performance. He will meet the afterwards. Mr Glasheen said he is very excited.
“It was a real surprise and a humbling experience. I’m excited. Performing is always very exciting, especially when it’s a big event,” he said.
Mr Glasheen, who grew up in Cobh, said he has received a lot of support from home.
“My family are shocked, but they’re quite excited.
“I didn’t start playing percussion until I was 17 and I think coming to it so late has been a great driving force for me to get involved in education and work in the community. It has been inspiring for me to work with the young people and the RCM and I am honoured to receive this recognition.”
Mr Glasheen plays a variety of styles including classical, contemporary, world, jazz, folk, Latin and pop. He has also worked with the education departments at the BBC Symphony Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, Pegasus Opera Company, Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and the English Pocket Opera Company.
He is currently a member of Live Music Now with folk group Tir Eolas.