The Music Generation Laois Harp Ensemble were delighted to travel to the international O’Carolan Harp Festival taking place in Nobber, Co Meath, the birth place of Ireland’s most famous harpist Turlough O’Carolan, on Saturday 3rd October.
The 15-strong group partook in workshops with some of Ireland’s most talented Harpists and competed in the festival competitions against young musicians from all around Ireland, with a number even having travelled from Scotland and Italy.
The Music Generation Laois Harp Ensemble was joined by their tutor Siobhan Buckley who had them well prepared for their competitions. The group were divided into workshops and were put through their paces for three hours, learning new tunes, techniques and styles.
The O’Carolan Harp Festival, 2nd – 4th October 2015, is in its 28th year and attracts harpers from far and wide to take part in its workshops and competitions. The three-day festival holds an array of events including excellent concerts, ceilís, lectures, exhibitions & tours with a special memorial ceremony to celebrate to life and work of Turlough O’Carolan.
Oboe tuition is an exciting initiative that is part of a new pilot programme through the Irish Association of Youth Orchestras, Laois School of Music and Music Generation Laois. A specialist tutor will travel to Portlaoise to provide oboe tuition, and the approach will include both one-to-one music lessons along with the introduction of periodical Skype lesson. Lessons will be subsidised and an oboe will be provided. The aim of these lessons is to develop oboe players in County Laois, and further develop the woodwind section of the Laois School of Music Youth Orchestra.
A new branch to the Music Generation Laois tree introduces Traditional Flute, Tin Whistle and Concertina as the latest instruments in our Irish Traditional Music programme which already includes Uilleann Pipes and Harp. The classes will be taught by the talented Musician Áine McQuaid.
Pop, Rock, Classicial, Traditional or African Drumming? Music Generation Laois are delighted to announce that bookings are still open for our evening music lessons in Portlaoise for 2015-2016. Our experienced tutors will work with students to unleash their creative side through classes, workshops, performances and masterclasses.
Traditional Music Summer School, Tuesday 7 July – Thursday 9 of July
3 day camp with workshops in fiddle, harp, uilleann pipes, bodrhan, concertina, flute and accordion with top-notch traditional musicians. Culminating in a student concert on Thursday.
Ages: 8+ (three years experience required). Time: 11am – 3pm
Fee €60. Venue: Portlaoise Youth Education Centre, Railway St, Portlaoise
Stampede Drumming, Wednesday 8 of July – Friday 10 of July
Junior Camp and Senior Camp in world drumming with well-known drummer Eddie O’Neill, all instruments provided – using djembes, bass drums and congas.
Age: Junior Camp – those who have little or no prior experience. Senior Camp – those who have taken part in our Stampede Drumming schools or evening classes.
Fee: €30. Venue: Portlaoise Youth Education Centre, Railway St, Portlaoise
School of Rock and Pop, Monday 29 June-Friday 3 July
Develop confidence and stage presence in a weeklong camp culminating with a concert on the Dunamaise Stage on the final day. A team of 3 tutors from the Music Generation Laois School of Rock and Pop will work with musicians and singers – all instruments welcome!
Songwriting Module – If you would like to take a songwriting module as part of this camp, please let us know on the application form!
Ages: 10-18 (with experience in playing an instrument or singing)
The music school was filled with music this Easter with our Songwriting Workshops with local musicians Adela Meally and James O’Connor.
Over the course of a two-day workshop, budding songwriters were encouraged to unleash their musical creations under the guidance of songsters James O’Connor and Adela Meally.
The groups, ranging from ages 10 – 17 years comprised of vocalists, poets, and a variety of instrumentalists. They were taken through the steps and techniques of writing their own music and also analysed some of today’s top hits to see what made them hits!
Groups were formed and their songs started to take shape with their final performances happening at the end of the second day. We were delighted to see how far the groups came in such a short time and hope that they will continue with their composing!
This Easter saw the beginning of the Laois County Stampede Drumming Group led by Eddie O’Neill.
Forty drumming students from a number of primary schools in County Laois came together to perform as a large-scale drumming ensemble. All the students participating come from schools who participate in the Stampede Drumming programme.
The students, led by our Stampede Drumming tutor Eddie O’Neill, were introduced to new drums, new rhythms, patterns and techniques in an intense two-days of learning. We look forward to seeing their progress over the next few years as this ensemble develops.
approach will include both one-to-one music lessons along with the introduction of periodical Skype lesson. Lessons will be subsidised and an oboe will be provided. The aim of these lessons is to develop oboe players in County Laois, and further develop the woodwind section of the Laois School of Music Youth Orchestra.
