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Please support this great event in rememberance of John Coll, who was a valued & respected member of Co. Mayo Music Education Partnership.
Following a fantastic response from young musicians throughout the county for our Exceptional Music Student Bursary Scheme, we are please to announce that an Independent Expert Panel have assessed all applicants and have awarded bursaries to twenty young musicians in a variety of instruments and genres.
Music Generation Mayo is delighted to offer this financial assistance, in the form of a bursary scheme to exceptional music students residing in Co.Mayo aged 10-18 years. These bursaries will help to defray the costs of accessing recognised expert music tuition or purchasing a musical instrument.
Recipients will officially receive their bursaries and will take part in performances at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar at 7pm on Tuesday Dec 17th. This event is open to the public and free to attend however numbers are limited so please call us to RSVP if you would like to reserve a ticket (09490 24188).
In a free event, sponsored by Music Generation Mayo and open to all, veteran music industry expert Jackie Hayden will talk to aspiring musicians in Ballina Arts Centre on Saturday 7 December at 11am. Hayden will call on his many years’ experience in the business to help guide participants through the process of recording, publishing, promoting and surviving in the music world.
Hayden was Marketing Manager with CBS Ireland, where he signed U2 to their first record contract and subsequently became a director and General Manager of Hot Press. A founder member of the Jobs In Music Campaign, he was invited by Michael D Higgins, then Minister for the Arts and Culture, to serve on an Irish government Task Force and appointed Chairman of a committee to examine the International Marketing of Irish Music. He has also co-written The Need To Know Guide To The Record Industry and The Need To Know Guide To Careers In Music. His book My Boy – The Philip Lynott Story, was number one for 7 weeks on the Irish best-seller lists in 2011.
Music Generation Mayo have established a Youth Music Hub in the Ballina Arts Centre, which is led by local musician and youth worker, Dennis McCalmont who runs regular workshops with the young musicians involved in the fully equipped rehearsal space.
McCalmont says “it’s great to be part of a movement that encourages access to musical activity for our young aspiring musicians – this can be a launch pad for success in the music business. To have access to a respected industry expert like Jackie will be a huge benefit to our group. We look forward to showcasing our local talent later that day on the main stage in the Arts Centre”.
The talk will be free of charge. 11am sharp – Saturday 7 December at Ballina Arts Centre and will be followed by a free 'Live' Music Showcase by members of Music Generation Mayo – Youth Music Hub at 2pm - Don't miss it!
Tasmin Little with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra on tour to Castlebar
Wide Open Music and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra present Tasmin Little with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra on tour to Castlebar on December 5th at 8pm at the Theatre Royal.
One of the finest violin soloists on the international solo circuit comes to Castlebar with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra including a pre-concert performance by Mayo Youth Orchestra. Wide Open Music and the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra have had numerous sell-out performances in the recent past and this tour sees a new partnership with Mayo County Arts Office and Music Generation Mayo.
With a top international solo violinist and one of Ireland’s leading conductors, Fergus Sheil, the focus of these concerts is on vivid, colourful, dynamic and rhythmic music – mostly inspired by dance. The programme includes The Chairman Dances – Subtitled Foxtrot for Orchestra, Stravinsky’s dazzling ballet music The Firebird and one of the best known and loved pieces for violin and orchestra, Bruch’s violin concerto which will be performed by Tasmin Little. Tasmin has firmly established herself as one of today's leading international violinists. She has performed on every continent in some of the most prestigious venues of the world and has made several acclaimed recordings in addition to frequent appearances at major festivals such as the BBC Proms.
In the weeks leading up to the concert, members of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra and conductor Fergus Sheil will visit Mayo Youth Orchestra to help coach the young players for their pre-concert performance. The Mayo Youth Orchestra was founded in 1997, and under the direction of Anne Moriarty has gone from strength to strength. The age profile ranges from primary to post-primary school and has members from all over the county including Castlebar, Westport, Killala, Kiltimagh, Foxford, Straide, Claremorris and Ballyhaunis.
Music Generation Mayo is delighted to provide this opportunity for young musicians in Mayo Youth Orchestra to engage and work with professional musicians from the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra. Such opportunities are intrinsic to the ethos of Music Generation Mayo and the commitment to provide learning and performance opportunities for young musicians in the county. The youth orchestra is preparing a programme to showcase their work which they’ll perform with Tasmin Little as a short pre-concert performance at 7.15pm in the Theatre Royal on the night of the RTÉ NSO concert. The pre-concert performance is free and all are welcome to attend.
The concert tour and educational programme are supported by The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Mayo County Council and Music Generation Mayo.
Concert Details
RTÉ NSO Concert Programme for the evening:
John Adams: The Chairman Dances | Max Bruch: Violin Concerto No 1 | Arturo Márquez: Danzón No 2 | Igor Stravinsky: The Firebird Suite (1919 version)
Tickets for the concert are available from ticketmaster 0818 300 000 or 094 902 3111 www.theroyal.ie and are priced €18.15 | €16.15(conc)| €60 Family (2 adults & 2 children). Booking for this concert is strongly advised.
Music Generation Mayo are funding a workshop facilitated by Guitarist Redmond O'Toole, who will deliver a guitar workshop on Saturday Sept. 7th in Holy Trinity School Westport for young guitarists of all genre (aged 10-18 years).
Places on the workshop are limited and operate on a first come first serve basis. Further details on 087 2809932 or click below to download an participation form which can be sent by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Music Generation Mayo, as part of it’s Music Residency programme offered an opportunity to young people aged 8-18 yrs tp participate in a four month music programme facilitated by the Ukulele Trio.
This residency focused on learning musical skills and songs with the ukulele and culminated with a performance at the Féilé Ukulele, Mayo’s own dedicated ukulele festival which took place in Castlebar on Saturday July 6th 2013.
The residency was faciliated by ‘The Ukulele Trio’ , formed in 2010 as part of the Mayo Art Squad community music program. The trio regularly perform for community events and also run a music program for residents in various health care settings throughout the county and group members include Johnny Fadgin: soprano ukulele and vocals, Barbara Trawinski: tenor ukulele and vocals and Shane Gannon: vocals, ukulele and percussion. Their repertoire ranges from traditional to contemporary as well as material composed by the trio themselves. Their unique approach to teaching is inclusive, versatile and a whole lot of fun for those involved.
Pictured below is the Ukulele Squad participants performing at the Féile Ukulele on Saturday July 6th 2013 as part of the Heart of Castlebar festival.
Féile Ukulele 2013
Music Generation Mayo is delighted to be taking part in the Féile Ukulele 2013 - here's what will be happening tomorrow Saturday July 6th:
11am-12pm - Music Generation Mayo in partnership with the Linenhall Arts Centre will be hosting a Ukulele Workshop for all ages and all proficiencies - it will take place in the Linenhall Arts Centre - if you'd like to book a place please call 086 3449597
After the workshop, participants are invited to take to the streets to join in a big Ukulele Session - which promises to be lots of fun and craic!
2pm-3pm on Castle St (which will be pedestrianised for the day) the Music Generation Mayo - Ukulele Squad - a troupe of 14 young ukulele players that have been participating in our music residency programme under the direction of the Ukulele Trio (Barbara, Shane & Johnny) will perform songs and play tunes for the public - all other players are also invited to join in too.
So there's lots of Yoo Koo Lay Lee activity - in fact there lots of all sorts happening as part of the Heart of Castlebar festival - so come along tomorrow for music, food, arts & crafts, puppetry, walking tours, giveaways, prizes and sunshine!!!
Mary Curran French Hornist and co- founder of The WhistleBlast Quartet will lead week long music" Creative Orchestra" courses . Rhythm, song writing, creative composition and fun will lead to a performance by all participants! For everybody- with or without musical experience. 7 - 13 year olds. Also parents and grandparents welcome.
Ballina Arts Centre, Ballina 8th - 12th July
Holy Trinity NS, Westport 29th July - 2nd August
See www.whistleblastquartet.com for details and bookings
On Thursday 13th June, Gealóga, a traditional music ensemble formed as part of the Music Generation Mayo - Music Residency Programme will perform for international delegates attending the Education Committee Meeting in Castletown House, Leixlip, a Department of Education and Skills event organised as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency.
The group of eleven young talented traditional musicians, aged 12-18 years, were selected via an audition process in January 2013 and have been progressing under the mentorship of their director, acclaimed Co. Mayo musician and performer, Emer Mayock.
Nominated by the Mayo Music Education Partnership to represent their country on this international stage, Gealóga’s appearance marks the final event in Music Generation’s performance programme for the Department of Education & Skills EU Presidency events.
Hailing from throughout Co. Mayo, Gealóga, which translates as ‘bright youth’, includes the following musicians; Kate Heneghan, Orla Mannion, Donal Parksinson, Patrick Boyle, Marianna Tiernan, Ellen Murphy, Alan Judge, Catherine Lambe, Grace McDonnell, Niamh Mulhern and Seán McGreal. Over the past few months the ensemble has been meeting regularly to share and source material, collaborate as fellow musicians, examine the history of the ensemble in traditional music, while preparing and rehearsing for the performances which will mark the culmination of their residency programme in July 2013.
An exceptionally accomplished young ensemble, members of Gealóga have successfully competed and received top prizes in the Connaught and national Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann competitions. They have graced many prestigious performance stages as individual musicians and in groups, having been taught and influenced in their musical development by the cream of Irish traditional musicians both in Co. Mayo and neighbouring counties. “Each individual member is an accomplished musician in their own right” noted Ensemble Director, Emer Mayock, “now as part of the ensemble they bring their own musical imagination and energy to create a dynamic and vibrant sound.” Gealóga will also perform at the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar on Friday July 12th and the Ballina Arts Centre on Saturday July 13th. Stay tuned for more details....
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