About
Castlebar Singer Songwriter John C Hoban
John Hoban was born in Castlebar in 1954. Forty-six years later, on his CV, under work experience we read: "Music has been my life. I play all instruments e.g. guitar, harmonica, banjo, whistles, bodhran, violin. My main instrument is my voice accompanied by mando-cello. I sing and compose songs, poetry, stories".
Musician/Artist
John Hoban chose to learn his music with care, over many years, from some of Ireland's most respected musicians and was content to transmit the music without inflicting "embellishments" on what he already knew was perfect. Thankfully, he has refused to listen to the many voices which continually try to entice him to abandon the path of the artist.
John is very well known at all the better gatherings of traditional musicians in his native County Mayo, from Carrowtigue to Ballyhaunis and from Charlestown to Clare Island, but he has devoted groups of admirers in such diverse locations as Brittany, Istanbul, London, Ontario, New York, San Francisco and Sydney-not to mention Galway, Clare and Sligo.
Perhaps better known as an accomplished player of fiddle, banjo and mando-cello, John is also a singer and a composer of wonderful songs and music. Listen to the work of John and you'll hear music from the heart -from the heart of a true modern-day minstrel, authentic and sincere.
Written by: Christy Tynan, Castlebar
Teacher
His music biography sums it up: "John's method of teaching music is to focus on the individual plus work on individual expression in a group/community setting. His work is to give children or adults (big children) the basic skills of music-making, then to help them find their own tone and rhythm in the music they make. His work helps people to develop and flow with their natural ability and intuition in music."
What he believes to be true in all cases is the African proverb; 'If you can talk you can sing, if you can walk you can dance'. Central to John's work is listening to and learning from each of his students.
'Mol an óige'
Encouragement is vital and he lives by the Gaelic proverb, "Mol an Oige agus tiocfaidh siad leat" - praise the children and they will respond.
