Offaly students take part in midlands music events

Over 1,000 children and young people enjoyed a range of musical events organised by Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath last month.

From October 17 until October 22, children and young people from local schools and community programmes had the chance to come together and make music with members of the MGOW team and visiting musicians.

The week of performances, workshops and play-alongs was based in a spectacular tent in the grounds of Belvedere House, and began with a day of Singfest workshops led by conductor of the Irish Youth Training Choir Patrick Barrett and accompanied by the MGOW House Band.

The second day's play-along workshop was a fun filled session involving young musicians and members of MGOW’s Mullingar Intergenerational Ukulele group who enjoyed sharing songs and each other’s company. Younger musicians had their own day of activities when they were invited to bring their teddy bears for a picnic. The young children were skilfully guided through an interactive introduction to classical music and opera, by musicians Tríona Walsh, Andrew Kin-yip Yau and Niall Mannion.

The inclusive music day was a particularly memorable day of workshops especially created for young musicians from St Finian’s, Mullingar, St Brigid’s, Mullingar and St Joseph’s NS, Tullamore by musician educator Frank Byrne.

The music week also created opportunities for two further youth-focused live music events.

Planning is already underway for future events.

For further details on these and all of MGOW’s activities, see Facebook and musicgenerationoffalywestmeath.ie

These events were supported by Westmeath County Council under the Local Live Performance Programme Scheme 4. Singfest receives funding from the Music Generation – Arts Council Partnership.