The Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra was established in January 2016 under the directorship of Paul Finn and Siobhan Buckley. Earlier this year 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, 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, and will be professionally recorded in Golden Egg Studio Portlaoise later this year.
Music Generation Laois are auditioning for new Trad Orchestra members. Auditions will take place on Saturday 8 of October in Portlaoise. This opportunity is for advanced traditional music students with 4 years experience and upwards, and aged 18 and under.
Please note: Current orchestra members do not need to re-audition.
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.
To apply for an audition send an email to musicgenerationlaois@laoiscoco.ie stating your name, age, instrument, and some information about your experience as a musician to-date (no more than 200 words) by 10am on Friday 7 October 2016.
Please include your parent/ guardian mobile telephone number. If selected for an audition, you will receive a text message with all relevant info. Applications from parents on behalf of their children will not be accepted.
On Friday 16 September, Music Generation Laois, in conjunction with the Laois Arts Office, joined counties and cities across Ireland in celebrating Culture Night 2016. New Road, a traditional Irish band with Americana influences based in Sligo, with special guests Cathy Jordan (Dervish) and Leonard Podolak (The Duhks), performed in the beautiful surroundings of The Malthouse in Stradbally. Music Generation Laois also held bi-lingual bodhrán workshops with Dale McKay, in Portlaoise Youth Education Centre in Railway Street.
Speaking after the concert, Rosa Flannery, Co-ordinator of Music Generation Laois, said that The Malthouse, which is privately owned ‘is a stunning location for a concert, brimming with individuality and quirkiness, which combined with the wonderful musicians performing on the night, made for a brilliant evening’s entertainment.’ A group of young musicians, who are part of over 3000 young people in the County who participate in weekly Music Generation Laois programmes, took part in a workshop earlier in the evening with New Road and Cathy Jordan. These young musicians then joined the band for an encore on stage in The Malthouse that night, much to the delight of the audience.
Culture Night offers access to cultural institutions and cultural events free of charge, and is an opportunity to celebrate culture, creativity and the arts throughout Ireland.
Top notch trad musicians descended on Co Laois at the weekend, as part of the 3rd annual Music Generation Laois Trad Summer School. Well-known musicians, Cormac de Barra, Maire Ní Chathasaigh, Brendan Begley, Noel Hill, Nollaig McCarthy, Eamon Murray, Harry Bradley, Aidan O Donnell, Denise Boyle, Siobhan Buckley, Aine McQuaid, Sean Hill and Barry Leonard were among the musicians who came to tutor young musicians from Laois and surrounding counties.
The Trad Summer School, which took place from the 15-17 of July, attracts lots of young trad musicians, who avail of the wide range of classes on offer, including uilleann pipes, harp, concertina, button accordion, bodhrán, fiddle, tin whistle and trad flute.
Speaking at the tutor concert, which took place on Saturday evening in Portlaoise Youth Education Centre on Railway Street in Portlaoise, Rosa Flannery Co-ordinator of Music Generation Laois said, ‘there is huge interest in traditional music among young people in Laois, and we want to do everything we can to support, sustain and develop this interest. Young people should be able to access music tuition in their own area, without having to travel or without the barrier of high tuition fees. We are thrilled at how successful the Summer School has become, and we look forward to doing it all over again in 2017.’
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.
llaig McCarthy, Eamon Murray, Harry Bradley, Aidan O Donnell, Denise Boyle, Siobhan Buckley, Aine McQuaid, Sean Hill and Barry Leonard were among the musicians who came to tutor young musicians from Laois and surrounding counties.
