A choir of nine Young Ambassadors from Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath made their Dublin debut at the US Ambassador’s Residence last Wednesday, 7 December, when they performed for guests including US Ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Kevin O’Malley, at The Ireland Funds Young Leaders Annual Reception 2016.
The choir treated all in attendance to a wonderful repertoire of festive favourites and classic choral works accompanied on the piano by Development Officer, Margaret Broome. Each of the young singers is a returning member of either the Young Voices or Senior choirs and was brought together as a group for this occasion to rehearse and perform a specially-selected series of songs.
The Singfest choirs were first formed in January 2016 as part of an ambitious choral programme developed by Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath in partnership with the Association of Irish Choirs, funded under the Music Generation/Arts Council Partnership. Through Singfest, young singers ages 8 to 19 are given access to exceptional musical training and singing opportunities, together with professional choral conductors and musicians from Ireland and overseas. Now in its second year, Singfest 2017 is well underway and choirs are already rehearsing for a finale concert to be hosted at Athlone Institute of Technology next June.
Margaret commented on the significance for the choir of having this public performance opportunity: “It is such an exciting opportunity for this group to perform for US Ambassador to Ireland, Kevin O’Malley, and The Ireland Funds Young Leaders. They have been working hard to present a great repertoire and they sound fabulous. I believe that guests today are in for a very special musical treat.”
Speaking of their performance on the evening, Music Generation National Director Rosaleen Molloy said: “I would like to congratulate these members of Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath’s Singfest Choirs for their truly engaging performance this evening in such special surrounds. It is a privilege for us to have the opportunity to perform at such prestigious venues and it will have been particularly memorable for the young people to have sung in the company of the US Ambassador to Ireland. We are very grateful to the US Embassy in Ireland and to The Ireland Funds Young Leaders for providing a platform to bring the music of the group to a national stage.”
Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath 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 Offaly/Westmeath is managed by Offaly/Westmeath Music Education Partnership, led by Offaly County Council in partnership with Westmeath County Council and Athlone Education Centre.
For further information about Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath programmes and initiatives contact:
Margaret Broome, Development Officer
Offaly County Council, Charleville Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
t: 057 9357400
e: mbroome@offalycoco.ie
w: facebook.com/musicgenerationoffalywestmeath
The choir treated all in attendance to a wonderful repertoire of festive favourites and classic choral works accompanied on the piano by Development Officer, Margaret Broome. Each of the young singers is a returning member of either the Young Voices or Senior choirs and was brought together as a group for this occasion to rehearse and perform a specially-selected series of songs.
The Singfest choirs were first formed in January 2016 as part of an ambitious choral programme developed by Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath in partnership with the Association of Irish Choirs, funded under the Music Generation/Arts Council Partnership. Through Singfest, young singers ages 8 to 19 are given access to exceptional musical training and singing opportunities, together with professional choral conductors and musicians from Ireland and overseas. Now in its second year, Singfest 2017 is well underway and choirs are already rehearsing for a finale concert to be hosted at Athlone Institute of Technology next June.
Margaret commented on the significance for the choir of having this public performance opportunity: “It is such an exciting opportunity for this group to perform for US Ambassador to Ireland, Kevin O’Malley, and The Ireland Funds Young Leaders. They have been working hard to present a great repertoire and they sound fabulous. I believe that guests today are in for a very special musical treat.”
Speaking of their performance on the evening, Music Generation National Director Rosaleen Molloy said: “I would like to congratulate these members of Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath’s Singfest Choirs for their truly engaging performance this evening in such special surrounds. It is a privilege for us to have the opportunity to perform at such prestigious venues and it will have been particularly memorable for the young people to have sung in the company of the US Ambassador to Ireland. We are very grateful to the US Embassy in Ireland and to The Ireland Funds Young Leaders for providing a platform to bring the music of the group to a national stage.”
Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath 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 Offaly/Westmeath is managed by Offaly/Westmeath Music Education Partnership, led by Offaly County Council in partnership with Westmeath County Council and Athlone Education Centre.
For further information about Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath programmes and initiatives contact:
Margaret Broome, Development Officer
Offaly County Council, Charleville Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly
t: 057 9357400
e: mbroome@offalycoco.ie
w: facebook.com/musicgenerationoffalywestmeath