Donegal’s Young Musical Ambassadors To Perform At EU Presidency Event

On Monday 18th February an eclectic mix of Donegal’s finest young musical talent – Ceoltóirí Chloich Cheannfhaola traditional band and jazz duo Michael and Conor Murray - will take to the stage to perform as guest artists for the Department of Education and Skills’ Conference on the Role of the Teacher Educator, an event organised as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency. Nominated by the Donegal VEC Music Education Partnership these worthy musical ambassadors will perform to distinguished international delegates at an event at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

Ceoltóirí Chloich Cheannfhaola was established in 2009 as a performing group from the Cloich Cheannfhaola Comhaltas branch and they have since gone from strength to strength developing musically and socially through Irish culture. In 2011 they were winners of the Ulster Fleadh in the under 15 Céilí Band Competition and have recently participated in a cultural exchange in Inverness. Twin brothers Michael and Conor Murray’s musical interests and influences are diverse, ranging from classical to jazz, popular and traditional. Initially self-taught, they now study saxophone and double bass with the Donegal VEC Music Education Partnership and regularly perform with the Donegal Youth Orchestra, Errigal Grove Orchestra and Ceoltóirí Chloich Cheannfhaola.

“Music Generation is delighted to have the opportunity to work with the Department of Education and Skills, and Donegal MEP for this EU Presidency event. The achievements of Donegal MEP since its establishment in 2005 have been significant and Music Generation builds upon its success in rolling out the MEP model throughout the country.”

This performance is the third in a series of exciting musical celebrations that have been organised by the Department of Education and Skills and Music Generation to mark Ireland’s EU Presidency and will feature some of Ireland’s finest young musicians from throughout the country over the coming months.

For further information please contact Music Generation, c/o Music Network, The Coach House, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2. 01 6719945 / info@musicgeneration.ie / www.musicgeneration.ie

Notes to editors:

Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, initiated by Music Network and funded by U2 and The Ireland Funds, together with a range of local partners. Music Generation helps children and young people to access music education in their local area. Music Generation is currently established in Carlow, Cork City, Laois, Limerick City, Louth, Mayo, Offaly/Westmeath, Sligo and Wicklow and works with Music Education Partnerships in each of these areas. Music Generation also works closely with the Department of Education and Skills who have committed to co-fund the programme with local Music Education Partnerships from July 2014. Visit www.musicgeneration.ie for further information.

Donegal Music Education Partnership is one of two original Music Education Partnerships in the Music Network's Education pilot programme. An education service of the Donegal VEC, Donegal MEP provides vocal and instrumental tuition in a range of centres across County Donegal covering music from various genres including classical, traditional, jazz and contemporary/rock music. The service is aimed primarily at children and young people, however tuition is also available to adults. For further information visit: www.dmep.ie

Ceoltóirí Chloich Cheannfhaola was established as a performing group from the Cloich Cheannfhaola Comhaltas branch in 2009 and, with their tutor Theresa Kavanagh, have since gone from strength to strength. Over the last three years the group have worked hard to develop both musically and socially through Irish culture. In 2011 Ceoltóirí Chloich Cheannfhaola won the Ulster Fleadh in the céilí band competition under 15. The young musicians have recently participated in a cultural exchange in Inverness, their second visit, where they connected and collaborated with other young musicians from the area through masterclasses and performances. Among the members, two have qualified in solo competitions to the very prestigious All Ireland Fleadh. Katie Doohan won second place at the All Ireland in 2011 on Piano Accordion and Eimear Gallagher also performed last year in the solo piano competition. Members of Ceoltóirí Chloich Cheannfhaola performing at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham are Roisin Boyle, Katie Doohan, Eimear Gallagher, Kate O'Grady, Hannah O'Grady, Laura Mc Garvey, Eilis Russell and Clíona Ní Ghallachóir.

Twin brothers Micheal and Conor Murray were initially self-taught, Micheal on harmonica and Conor on electric bass, before learning saxophone and double bass respectively through the school system and Donegal VEC’s Music Education Partnership. They also attend the annual Donegal Summer School of Music. Their musical interests and influences are diverse ranging from classical music through to jazz, popular music and traditional. They regularly perform at local and national events and festivals both as a duo, trio and as members of the DMEP’s Donegal Youth Orchestra and Errigal Groove Orchestra as well as Ceoltóirí Chloich Cheannfhaola. Conor is also a current member of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland.