Top trad musicians and young players to gather for the Music Generation Laois Trad Summer School

Photo: Denis Byrne

Ireland’s top trad musicians and more than 100 young players will gather in Portlaoise later this month for the annual Music Generation Laois Trad Summer School 2018. Now a firm fixture on Laois’ summer trad calendar, the Summer School will incorporate workshops, sessions and masterclasses across a wide range of instruments, as well as a series of evening concerts by both professional and young musicians. Over three days, from 20th to 22nd July, participants will be mentored by accomplished trad players and tutors including members of Award-winning Scottish folk band Talisk and highly-respected fiddle player, composer and teacher, Siobhán Peoples.

An Opening Gala Concert at Dunamaise Arts Centre on Friday 20th July will kick-start proceedings, featuring performances by the Summer School tutors and appearances by the Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra and Junior Trad Group.

A highlight of the weekend will see epic Scottish trad band Talisk, recent winners of the BBC 2 Folk Band of the Year Awards 2017, perform a family-friendly gig in The Courtyard @ Kavanagh’s on Saturday 21st July.

The Summer School will culminate in a celebratory student concert on Sunday 22nd July at Portlaoise Further Education and Training Centre, which is also host venue for workshops and classes throughout the weekend.

Tuition at the Summer School will be available to children and young people ages 8+ with some experience in their instrument. The weekend offers a fantastic opportunity for existing Music Generation Laois participants to develop their playing skills and for new members to get involved in a dynamic, fun group-playing environment.

Classes and workshops will be guided by members of the Music Generation Laois tutor team and visiting musicians, including: Talisk’s Mohsen Amini (concertina), Ernestine Healy (concertina), Deirdre Granville (harp), Lauren O’Neill (harp), Mikie Smith (uilleann pipes), Padraig McGovern (uilleann pipes), Paul Finn (button accordion), Derek Hickey (button accordion), Siobhán Peoples (fiddle), Denise Boyle (fiddle), Tommy Fitzharris (flute), John Kelly (flute), Colm Phelan (bodhrán), Tommy Hayes (bodhrán), Laoise Kelly (harp), Joseph Byrne (pipes) and Áine McQuaid (mixed juniors).

Registration for the Music Generation Laois Trad Summer School 2018 is now open.

To secure your place or for more information about this and other Music Generation Laois programmes and events contact:

Rosa Flannery, Coordinator
Music Generation Laois, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co Laois

T: +353 57 866 4176
E: musicgenerationlaois[at]laoiscoco.ie
www.musicgenerationlaois.ie