Music Generation Laois has announced a hugely impressive programme for the second annual Tionól for Harps and Pipes, a weekend of workshops, sessions and performances in Portlaoise from 3 to 5 November 2017.
The event follows on from the first successful Tionól in 2016, which saw 86 young harp and pipes players from 11 counties in Ireland work together with 13 Irish and international professional musicians from within and outside of Music Generation’s tutor network.
This year, more than 150 professional and young musicians will take part in the event, which will be hosted by Music Generation Laois with support from the Music Generation National Projects fund and the Trench Trust. The weekend will bring together pipers, harpists and their Tutors from Music Generation partnerships throughout Ireland, while also creating an opportunity for students to participate in workshops from well-known guest tutors.
Music Generation Laois Coordinator Rosa Flannery described the significance of this major event in her own words: 'we are thrilled to have such an exciting weekend of harping and piping in Laois for the second year in a row. The ground-breaking development in the playing of pipes and harp in Laois is something we are very proud of. Laois is now on the map as a centre of excellence in two instruments of great cultural significance to Ireland.'
A range of classes for students will be available, from recent beginners to advanced harp and uilleann pipes players. In addition to master-classes with guest musicians, the young people will have an opportunity to work with Music Generation tutors from various counties in Ireland. Tutors will include:
Harp: Siobhán Buckley, Michael Rooney, Catriona McKay, Tríona Marshall, Ramune Sakalauskaite, Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla, Gráinne Hambly
Uilleann Pipes: Fionnán Mac Gabhann, Joseph Byrne, David Power, Timothy Doyle, Paul Harrigan
As part of this major three-day event, a series of public concerts and performances will give students, families and fellow musicians a chance celebrate their skills and development in the evenings and on the closing day of the event.
There will also be an outdoor piping event on Lyster Square to mark International Uilleann Pipe Day on Saturday 4 November at 4.30pm!
Friday 3 November: Opening Gala Concert
Featuring the premiere of a newly-composed suite of music by Michael Rooney for the Music Generation Laois Harp Orchestra, the Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra and professional musicians Catriona McKay, Siobhán Buckley, Michael Rooney, June McCormack, Grainne Hambly, Billy Jackson, Kerri Mullan, Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla, Ramune Sakalauskaite, Paul Harrigan, Padraig McGovern and Timothy Doyle.
Saturday 4 November
Harp ensembles and young pipers will join David Power (pipes) and acclaimed Laois Harpist Triona Marshall for a celebratory concert showcasing visiting young musicians from Donegal, Louth, Mayo, Wicklow and Sligo. This concert will also feature many young musicians from the Music Generation Laois harp and pipes classes.
Sunday 5 November
The weekend will culminate with a student concert featuring Tionól participants.
How to take part
Applications are now being accepted for participants. €70 fee includes workshops and all concert tickets.
Please note that under 18s will be supervised during break times unless alternative arrangements are made by parents or guardians
To apply and for more information, download an application form, or contact Music Generation Laois:
Email: musicgenerationlaois@laoiscoco.ie
Phone: +353 57 866 4176
The event follows on from the first successful Tionól in 2016, which saw 86 young harp and pipes players from 11 counties in Ireland work together with 13 Irish and international professional musicians from within and outside of Music Generation’s tutor network.
This year, more than 150 professional and young musicians will take part in the event, which will be hosted by Music Generation Laois with support from the Music Generation National Projects fund and the Trench Trust. The weekend will bring together pipers, harpists and their Tutors from Music Generation partnerships throughout Ireland, while also creating an opportunity for students to participate in workshops from well-known guest tutors.
Music Generation Laois Coordinator Rosa Flannery described the significance of this major event in her own words: 'we are thrilled to have such an exciting weekend of harping and piping in Laois for the second year in a row. The ground-breaking development in the playing of pipes and harp in Laois is something we are very proud of. Laois is now on the map as a centre of excellence in two instruments of great cultural significance to Ireland.'
A range of classes for students will be available, from recent beginners to advanced harp and uilleann pipes players. In addition to master-classes with guest musicians, the young people will have an opportunity to work with Music Generation tutors from various counties in Ireland. Tutors will include:
Harp: Siobhán Buckley, Michael Rooney, Catriona McKay, Tríona Marshall, Ramune Sakalauskaite, Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla, Gráinne Hambly
Uilleann Pipes: Fionnán Mac Gabhann, Joseph Byrne, David Power, Timothy Doyle, Paul Harrigan
As part of this major three-day event, a series of public concerts and performances will give students, families and fellow musicians a chance celebrate their skills and development in the evenings and on the closing day of the event.
There will also be an outdoor piping event on Lyster Square to mark International Uilleann Pipe Day on Saturday 4 November at 4.30pm!
Friday 3 November: Opening Gala Concert
Featuring the premiere of a newly-composed suite of music by Michael Rooney for the Music Generation Laois Harp Orchestra, the Music Generation Laois Trad Orchestra and professional musicians Catriona McKay, Siobhán Buckley, Michael Rooney, June McCormack, Grainne Hambly, Billy Jackson, Kerri Mullan, Deirdre Ní Bhuachalla, Ramune Sakalauskaite, Paul Harrigan, Padraig McGovern and Timothy Doyle.
- Time: 7pm
- Venue: Portlaoise Further Education and Training Centre, Tower Hill
- Admission: €5 General Admission / Free to Tionól students. Booking through Dunamaise Arts Centre: 057 866 3355 or online
Saturday 4 November
Harp ensembles and young pipers will join David Power (pipes) and acclaimed Laois Harpist Triona Marshall for a celebratory concert showcasing visiting young musicians from Donegal, Louth, Mayo, Wicklow and Sligo. This concert will also feature many young musicians from the Music Generation Laois harp and pipes classes.
- Time: 7pm
- Venue: Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise
- Admission: €5 General Admission / Free to Tionól students. Booking through Dunamaise Arts Centre: 057 866 3355 or online
Sunday 5 November
The weekend will culminate with a student concert featuring Tionól participants.
- Time: 2pm
- Venue: Portlaoise Further Education and Training Centre, Tower Hill
- Admission: Free of charge, on a first come-first serve basis at the door.
How to take part
Applications are now being accepted for participants. €70 fee includes workshops and all concert tickets.
Please note that under 18s will be supervised during break times unless alternative arrangements are made by parents or guardians
To apply and for more information, download an application form, or contact Music Generation Laois:
Email: musicgenerationlaois@laoiscoco.ie
Phone: +353 57 866 4176