The Music Generation Laois/Laois School of Music 2nd Annual Festival was held on 8 March at the Portlaoise Youth Education Centre, Railway Street, Portlaoise.
Over 110 performers took to the stage on an array of instruments including harp, uilleann pipes, piano, euphonium, saxophone, singer-songwriters, flute, violin and cello. The performers crossed all ages, children and adults, and the festival featured a multitude of styles and genres including classical, traditional, folk, singer-songwriter and jazz.
It was great to see such a good turnout on a sunny Sunday afternoon with friends, parents, grandparents and everyone else popping in to see the performances.
In the final session, the gathering audience was treated to a performance by the Laois School of Music Youth Orchestra who were travelling to Scotland for St. Patrick’s Weekend for a weekend of performing with Scottish Musicians. The orchestra is conducted by well-known fiddle player, John Davidson.
The festival was non-competitive, however, Music Adviser, Martin Barrett from County Cork School of Music, was on hand to give feedback and words of advice to each performer and to award medals.
A great day was had by all and we look forward already to next year’s festival!
Irish TV were there on the day to film some of the performances. To see a click here and go 17.30!
Come visit us at our stand at the National Ploughing Championships 2013, Tuesday 24 September to Thursday 26 September, Ratheniska, Co Laois! We will have an interactive stall in the Laois County Council Tent (V361) with instruments, and video footage from our programmes.
On Wednesday 25 September @ 12:30pm, our Stampede Drumming Group from The Rock NS, Mountmellick, Co Laois. will perform at The Ploughing Championships 2013. These wonderful young drummers will perform using djembes, bass drums and congas under the direction of their Tutor, Eddie O Neill.
Develop confidence and technique in this weeklong camp open to Singers and Musicians age 12 -18 culminating with a concert on the Theatre Stage on Friday 28 June. A Team of 3 Tutors from the Music Generation Laois School of Rock and Pop will work with musicians and singers – all instruments welcome!
Junior Camp (Age 7-11) and Senior Camp (Age 12-16) in World Drumming, all instruments provided, no experience necessary – using Djembes. Bass Drums, Congas and Bells.
Age: Junior Camp 7-11yr olds and Senior Camp 12-16 yr olds
Lets Make Music!
15-19 July, Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise
A week of music-making with Tutors from the renowned Newpark College of Music in Dublin – This camp caters for musicians and singers of all ages and musical backgrounds. Participants will learn new musical styles, from Jazz and Indian rhythms to Improvisation, and put together a show to be performed on the Theatre Stage on Friday the 19 of July. Try something new and fun!
