Laois Young Ambassadors perform for a global audience at The Ireland Funds Worldwide Conference

Dublin, June 24, 2017: Young musicians from Music Generation Laois took centre stage yesterday evening, Friday 23 June, when they performed for an audience of national and international delegates, including Guests of Honor His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco, and An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, at the Gala Celebration of The Ireland Funds Worldwide Conference 2017 in Powerscourt Estate.

Watch a video of the event, which features Music Generation National Director Rosaleen Molloy, courtesy of The Ireland Funds:

The show-stopping performance by the 31-member Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra was led by Donegal-based musician and composer Martin Tourish (Altan), and by Orchestra directors Paul Finn (accordion) and Siobhán Buckley (harp). Together, the ensemble presented extracts from the spectacular traditional suite ‘Visions and Voices’, which was created by Martin in collaboration with members of the Orchestra to mark the Centenary of Easter 2016.

Take a look at the performance on the night, which brought the audience to their feet - twice!

The original commission, which reflects on the events leading up to and including the 1916 Rising in Ireland, was funded by the Laois 2016 Community Fund, Per Cent for Art through the Laois Arts Office and the Music Generation Arts Council Partnership. The piece culminates with a great sense of optimism for the future, which is audible in the final movement ‘Possibility.’

Just after the performance, David Vesey (age 17, Abbeyleix), flute player with the Music Generation Laois Trad Orchstra said: 'We all really enjoyed this evening and it was a great opportunity that only Music Generation could provide. It was a great honour to perform in front of such a fantastic crowd at such a prestigious event and we all really appreciated the brilliant opportunity.'

Following the event, Rosaleen Molloy, National Director of Music Generation said: “I would like to congratulate this ensemble of terrific young musicians from Laois on their electric performance this evening. It is a privilege for Music Generation to have the opportunity to perform at such a prestigious event, and we are very grateful to The Ireland Funds for providing this platform for our young musicians to showcase their own music on an international stage”.

The Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra was established in January 2016, under the direction of musicians Siobhán Buckley (on Harp) and Paul Finn (on accordion). To date the Orchestra has performed at major national events including Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Ennis, as part of the Music Generation Laois ‘Tionól’ for Harps and Pipes in November 2016, and most recently as part of ‘Music at the Malt House’ in Stradbally in May 2017. The members of the Orchestra are among 3,000 children and young people who attended weekly lessons with Music Generation Laois in 2016.

Music Generation’s Young Ambassadors programme provides opportunities for young musicians throughout Ireland to perform at national and international events.

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Music Generation Laois is a performance music education programme for children and young people in County Laois. It is part of Music Generation – Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, initiated by Music Network and co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Skills and Local Music Education Partnerships. Locally, Music Generation Laois is managed by Laois Music Education Partnership and co-funded by Laois County Council, Laois-Offaly Education and Training Board and Laois Partnership Company.

For further information about the Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra and other initiatives contact:

Music Generation Laois, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, County Laois
t: +353 57 8664176
e: musicgenerationlaois@laoiscoco.ie
musicgenerationlaois.ie