Creating a Traditional Music Ensemble with Emer Mayock
Music Generation Mayo, part of Music Generation, Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, funded by U2 and the Ireland funds together with local partners, is offered an opportunity to experienced young traditional musicians and singers with a high standard of playing ability to form a traditional music ensemble.
Participants, aged between 12-18 yrs, participated in a six month music residency under the guidance and mentorship of acclaimed Co.Mayo musician and performer Emer Mayock. The residency culminated in live performances by the ensemble in July 2013.
Having played traditional music since childhood on a range of instruments including the Flute, Low Whistles, Fiddle and Uilleann Pipes, Emer Mayock has recorded two CDs: ‘Merry Bits of Timber’ and ‘Playground’ - the latter continuing her interest in writing new music and containing mostly her own compositions. She has worked with numerous Irish traditional musicians includingDonal Lunny and Paddy Glackin, as well as artists from other musical genres including French music producer Hughes de Courson, Breton harpist Alan Stivelland the Grammy nominated Afro Celts. Emer is currently working with Uilleann Piper Mick O’ Brien and Fiddle player Aoife Ní Bhriain exploring and recording tunes from the Goodman Manuscripts collected in Munster in the 1880s. A CD of this music has just been completed.
Speaking about the upcoming residency, facilitator Emer commented “The residency offers the lucky participants a period of intense musical education both on a practical and creative level. They will have the opportunity to explore the area of ensemble playing and will learn to work with other musicians while also availing of individual one to one tuition on their chosen instrument. The residency will take the participants on a journey that will lead them to a public performance at the end of six months, they will be involved in an integral way in every aspect of the event.”
This is one of a variety of music residencies being rolled out by Music Generation Mayo in 2013 with particular focus on the many talented young musicians that exist throughout the county, to enhance their current practice and support them into the future. “We are very fortunate to have access to high calibre tutors such as Emer in Co.Mayo and it will be an absolutely fantastic opportunity for the young people involved to avail of her skills and vast experience as a musician, performer and composer” said programme Co-ordinator Kate McKeon, “the skills they will learn are highly valuable in the development of young musicians with their sights set on professional careers in music performance and/or studying music at third level.”
Please note this residency programme took place during Jan-July 2013, pictured below are the ensemble known as Gealóga and they continue to perform regularly.
