Pop, Rock, Traditional or African Drumming? Music Generation Laois are delighted to announce that bookings are now open for our Summer Camps for 2016. This year will see a variety of camp choices and a range of musical genres. Our experienced and renowned tutors will work with students to unleash their creative side through classes, workshops, performances and masterclasses.
Bookings are now being taken for
– School of Rock & Pop (4 – 8 July)
– Music Generation Laois Traditional Summer School (15 – 17 July)
– Stampede Drumming Junior and Senior Camps (11 – 13 July)
See below for more information on each camp.
To make a booking or for information contact Music Generation Laois on 057-8664176 or email musicgenerationlaois@laoiscoco.ie
Music Generation Laois Young Ambassadors with Mentor Zoë Conway captivate NYC Audiences at The American Ireland Fund 41st Annual New York City Gala where they were joined by U2’s Adam Clayton in celebrating the achievements of Ireland’s National Music Education Programme
Three extraordinary young musicians from Music Generation Laois last night captivated guests at The American Ireland Fund 41st Annual New York City Gala in Pier Sixty, Manhattan, with their superb performance of traditional Irish music and song. U2’s Adam Clayton introduced the performance by 15-year old Sarah Bennett from Portlaoise (Bodhrán, Fiddle), 14 year-old Conall Ó Cnáimhín from Borris-in-Ossory (Cajon, Button Accordion, Fiddle) and 13 year-old Fiadh Fitzpatrick from Portarlington (Uilleann Pipes, Voice), who were joined on stage by their mentor, musician Zoë Conway (Fiddle).
These exceptional Young Ambassadors from Music Generation Laois were invited to share their incredible musical skills with guests, as The American Ireland Fund celebrated the achievements of Ireland’s National Music Education Programme since its foundation in 2010. Their repertoire on the night included a traditional set and a rendition of ‘The Foggy Dew’, which was met by rapturous applause.
Speaking of this remarkable performance opportunity for the three young musicians, Music Generation Laois Coordinator Rosa Flannery said: “I am so proud to see these superb young trad players perform on an international stage alongside an accomplished musician such as Zoë Conway. Sarah, Conall and Fiadh are extraordinary young musicians and it’s been a privilege to see their expertise grow even further through their participation in Music Generation Laois. It’s very important for the development of young musicians to have an opportunity to perform at this level. It is just one of the many benefits that Music Generation Laois provides to the children and young people in our locality.”
National Director of Music Generation, Rosaleen Molloy said: “These three young musicians have done themselves and Music Generation proud at tonight’s event, demonstrating their commitment, enthusiasm and passion for their craft. We are very grateful to The Ireland Funds for inviting these wonderful Young Ambassadors to perform at the Annual New York City Gala. For Sarah, Conall and Fiadh it has been a most memorable and inspiring occasion that they will carry with them on their future musical journey.”
In addition to Laois, Music Generation is currently established in 11 other areas of Ireland, providing access to high-quality subsidised performance music education for some 35,000 children and young people annually and creating 350 employment opportunities. Initiated by Music Network, the programme is currently co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships. The programme is set to expand in up to nine new areas of the country during its next phase, from 2016 to 2021.
Music Generation Laois are hosting ‘Body Percussion in the Classroom’ workshop with Ollie Tunmer from Beat Goes On in the Laois Educational Centre, Portlaoise on Tuesday 10 May from 7pm – 8:30pm.
FREE TO ATTEND & ALL TEACHERS WELCOME!!
RSVP to musicgenerationlaois@laoiscoco.ie or 057-8664176
The Music Generation Laois New Works Series brings young musicians and composers together, to collaborate, compose and perform a series of new works for ensembles in the County. Three composers have been appointed to compose music in collaboration with young musicians.
Martin Tourish, composer and accordionist with the Donegal-based band Altan, will work with the Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra and Choir to create a new twenty minute piece of music ‘1916: Visions and Voices’ to mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising.
Elaine Agnew, a renowned composer from Northern Ireland, will work with the Laois School of Music Youth Orchestra to create a new twenty minute piece of music for Youth Orchestra and Choir.
Scottish Virtuoso Harpist Catriona McKay will work with the Music Generation Laois Harp Ensemble to create a ten minute piece of music for harp ensemble. The New Works series will be premiered as part of a gala concert on Sunday 22 of May in the Heritage Hotel, Portlaoise.
Tickets are €5 and on sale from the Dunamaise Arts Centre Box Office at dunamaise.ie or 057-8663355.
‘1916: Visions and Voices’ is inspired by the actions and events of the 1916 Rising, and is part of the ‘Ireland 2016’ programme of events in County Laois, and funded by the Laois 2016 Community Grants Scheme. All 3 new works are also funded by Per Cent for Art through the Laois Arts Office, and the Music Generation/Arts Council Partnership.
RTE’s Nationwide programme tonight, Monday 14th March, at 7pm, will have a feature on ‘A Nation’s Voice’, one of the major events of the Ireland 1916 Commemoration programme.
18 Students from the Music Generation Laois Choral Programme are taking part, representing 5 participating schools (Errill NS, Kiladooley NS, Killenard NS, Presentation Primary Portarlington and Rath NS), under the direction of MGL Choral Team Nuala Kelly and Grace Bergin. The Nationwide crew visited the Laois rehearsal last week and filmed the children singing, along with an interview from Nuala Kelly (also School of Music Co-ordinator), who has a personal connection with 1916 through her Portlaoise grandfather John Muldowney, one of the Laois Volunteers at that time.
A Nation’s Voice is presented by the Arts Council and RTÉ, in association with the National Museum of Ireland, the Association of Irish Choirs and Music Generation, as part of Ireland 2016. On Easter Sunday, March 27th 2016, in the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks, Dublin, one thousand voices from all over Ireland will join with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra in presenting a major new orchestral and choral work composed by Shaun Davey and Paul Muldoon. This free concert promises to be one of the highlights of the 1916 commemoration programme and will be broadcast live on RTE 1 from 2.30pm on Easter Sunday.
