Christmas Closing Arrangements
Music Generation Laois will close from Saturday 22 December 2018 and re-open on Monday 7 of January 2019.
We wish all our students and their families a very happy Christmas, and a musical New Year!
Music Generation Laois Christmas Concert 2018
Trad Orchestra Auditions
Applications are now open for high-standard, dedicated trad musicians to join the Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra .
The positions open for audition are:
- Button accordion
- Concertina
- Whistle
- Trad Flute
- Mandolin
- Banjo
- Flute
- Fiddle
- Piano
- Harp
- Uilleann Pipes
- Double bass
Standard: This opportunity is for advanced traditional musicians with 4 years experience and upwards
Age: Open to all ages
Weekly rehearsal: Successful applicants must be available for weekly rehearsal on Saturdays from 10am-11:30am. Attendance is strictly monitored, if members miss more than 3 rehearsals throughout the academic year, their membership will be relinquished.
Fee: Annual orchestra membership fee €100.
How to apply: Spaces are allocated on an audition basis – send an email to musicgenerationlaois@laoiscoco.ie with your name, date of birth, instrument(s), standard (how many years you have been playing, any significant performances or achievements in this time), Parent/Guardian contact telephone number (for those under 18) and home address. Note, as this is an advanced ensemble, expression of interest emails are to come from applicants, applications made by parents/guardians on behalf of musicians will not be accepted.
Deadline for receipt of applications is 5pm, Monday 19 November
Auditions: Successful applicants will audition on Tuesday 27 November
The Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra was established in January 2016 under the directorship of Paul Finn and Siobhan Buckley. In May 2016, the orchestra collaborated with Donegal Accordionist Martin Tourish to create a new 30 minute suite of music ‘1916 Visions and Voices’ funded by the Laois 2016 Community Fund, Per Cent for Art through Laois County Council and the Music Generation Arts Council Partnership. The music was premiered on the 22 of May 2016, as part of the Music Generation Laois New Works Series, to unprecedented public response! The work has since been performed in Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis 2016, for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in Dublin Castle and in Powerscourt for the Ireland Funds Worldwide Conference attended by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Prince Albert of Monaco and has also been recorded an launched as a CD. In 2018, the Trad Orchestra premiered a new work ‘Loinnir Laoise,’ commissioned by Music Generation Laois and composed by Ryan Molloy as part of Music at the Malt House 2018. This suite of music was performed for a second time on the gig rig at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann 2018 in Drogheda.
Please note: This is a highly professional ensemble, repeated absenteeism is not acceptable nor is poor timekeeping. Frequently additional rehearsals and performances are added and these are mandatory. Musicians must come prepared to rehearsals. Poor conduct and irresponsible behaviour is not permitted.
MGL Junior Trad Group Auditions
We are currently auditioning for our Junior Trad Group.
The Junior Trad Group rehearses weekly on Thursdays from 6pm-7:30pm in Laois Music Centre (formerly Scoil Mhuire), on Church Avenue, Portlaoise.
€100 annual membership fee.
Entry is by audition only. Please email musicgenerationlaois@laoiscoco.ie with your expression of interest by 5pm, Monday 19 November. Auditions will be held on Wednesday 21 November. You will receive an email if you have been selected for an audition.
In your email, we will need the young musician’s
- Name
- Date of Birth
- Address
- Parent/Guardian name, email and mobile number
- Instrument
- Years experience
We are looking for young trad musicians who have been playing at least 2 years, can pick up basic tunes and learn to play them by ear with ease.
In the audition, young musicians will need to play two contrasting tunes and participate in a short interview (5-10 minutes).
There is no age limit – the selection process is based on playing standard.
Tionól 2018
Our annual Tionól for Harps and Pipes takes place from the 2-4 November
Workshop Tutors:
DAVID POWER (PIPES) , TIMOTHY DOYLE (PIPES), MICK O’BRIEN (PIPES), MARK REDMOND (PIPES), FIONNÁN MACGABHANN (PIPES), LEONARD BARRY (PIPES), JOSEPH BYRNE (PIPES), JAMES MAHON (PIPES), SIOBHAN BUCKLEY (HARP), CATRIONA McKAY (HARP), TRIONA MARSHALL (HARP), DEIRDRE Ní BHUACHALLA (HARP), GRÁINNE HAMBLY (HARP), BILLY JACKSON (HARP), LAUREN O NEILL (HARP), ANNE-MARIE O’FARRELL (HARP)
CONCERTS:
Friday 2 November
Tionól 2018 Opening Gala Concert
Opening Gala Concert Featuring performances by Tionól Tutors, Chris Stout and Catriona McKay and Venezualan band Compasses
Portlaoise Further Education & Training Centre
Tionól Students Free of Charge • General Public €5 – Tickets for sale on the door
Saturday 3 November
Concert featuring young harpers and pipers from across Ireland to mark International Uilleann Pipe Day
Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, 7pm
Tionól Students Free of Charge – General public €5
Booking through the Dunamaise Arts Centre 057 8663355 or Dunamaise.ie
Sunday 4 November
Closing Student Concert: Tionól 2018– featuring students from the Tionól
Portlaoise Further Education and Training Centre, Tower Hill, Portlaoise, 2pm
Admission free of charge, on a first come-first serve basis on the door
Tionól Closing Party featuring Compasses
Andy Bergins, Main St, Portlaoise, 7pm, Free Admission
STANDARDS: A range of classes are available from recent beginners to advanced. You must have your own instrument to participate. A limited number of harps are available for Music Generation Laois students.
SUPERVISION: Under 18s will be supervised during break times unless alternative arrangements made by parents/guardians. Open to ages 7 and upwards. LUNCH IS PROVIDED
FEE: €70
To book workshops contact: musicgenerationlaois@laoiscoco.ie or call 057 8664176
Music Generation Laois Tionól 2018 is a national gathering for harps and pipes funded by the Music Generation/Arts Council Partnership, the Trench Trust and local partners.
