NSO set for Tullamore next month
New motorways have made the journey from Offaly to hear Ireland’s national orchestras a much easier one than it once was. However on December 4 next we can stay put, as the National Symphony Orchestra will visit us instead.
The unique early December event will be held in the Tullamore Court Hotel, and will allow midlands audiences to see Ireland’s premier orchestra performing alongside special guest soloist Tasmin Little on violin.
The concert will be added to with a special pre-concert performance by the Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra, which will get mentoring from its larger counterpart in the weeks leading up to the concert.
Speaking this week, Offaly Arts Officer Sinead O’Reilly said the mentoring that has been arranged for members of the Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra is a great opportunity.
“The Arts Offices of Offaly and Westmeath, together with Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath are delighted to be in a position to partner with the RTE National Symphony Orchestra to deliver a series of master classes to the young people of the Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra,” she said. “This is an extraordinary opportunity for our young musicians to learn from and play with some of the finest in the country.”
Furthermore, Ms O’Reilly said the pre-concert performance from the young orchestra will show all it has to offer. “Having the opportunity to play alongside the RTE NSO on December 4 in Tullamore will make evident to the community in general the caliber of young musicianship we have in the midlands and the importance of nurturing and supporting their development.”
Though important, the December gig certainly won’t phase the young orchestra. In existence since 2006 under the baton of conductor Vincent Hunt, the orchestra has performed in Belfast, Germany and the National Concert Hall. The orchestra made up of members from Offaly, Westmeath, Longford, Roscommon, Meath, Kildare and Laois will play a 30-minute showcase from 7pm on December 4 along with Tasmin Little.
The main concert of the night will be led by conductor Fergus Sheil and will focus on vivid, colourful, dynamic and rhythmic music that is 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.
Entry to the youth performance at the Tullamore Court Hotel at 7pm on December 4 is free. Tickets for the RTE National Symphony Orchestra/Tasmin Little concert at 8pm are €16/€14 and can be bought at the Tullamore Court Hotel or by calling 057 9346666.