Skip to main content
Find Your Local Music Generation

songSPARKS group from Music Generation Mayo qualify for the Song for ’16 Final

Website image Blog Song for 16 finalists 13052016
Five young musicians who participated in the Music Generation Mayo songSPARKS song-writing project have qualified for the final of Song for ‘16 – an all-island schools song competition presented by the National Concert Hall, Disney Music Group and the Department of Education and Skills. This competition forms part of the National Concert Hall’s 2016 Centenary Programme.

The brand new track, written by Niamh Killeen and Clara Gardiner, looks at how Ireland has changed over the last 100 years. It’s one of just seven songs selected for the final from more than 200 entries!

In crafting their entry, Niamh and Clara enlisted the help of Chloe Gardiner to allow them to work up a three-part harmony. Niamh, Clara and Chloe are all pupils at Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Gortnor Abbey, Crossmolina in Mayo.

Two other songSPARKS participants – Emmet McNamee from Westport (percussion) and Dylan Kelly from Bonnicolon (guitar) also feature on the track, playing accompaniment.

You can listen to the song written by Niamh and Clara during the songSPARKS project on Soundcloud.

The Song for ’16 Competition Final will take place in the National Concert Hall on 15 May 2016. Tickets are on sale now through the National Concert Hall online.

About songSPARKS

From September to December 2015, Music Generation Mayo in partnership with Songbirds Ireland and the Arts Council gave 26 young musicians and singers in Mayo aged 13 - 18 an opportunity to participate in a unique project to explore and develop their songwriting and musical skills.

The project culminated in a live concert at Ballina Arts Centre on 12 December 2015 and a series of mastered recordings which were launched on 5 March 2016.

During the course of the project participants engaged in a series of workshops focusing on the song-writing process, from sketch to demo to a final recording of their song or music. They explored how to develop structure and harmony in their compositions, as well as looking at topics such as arrangement, music appreciation, recording and live performance tips including microphone technique and stage set-up.

This programme was made possible as a result of a partnership initiative between the Arts Council and Music Generation to support the work of professional musicians in a range of ambitious music education programmes. This partnership is aimed at adding significant value to the current core tuition being carried out by Music Generation programmes throughout Ireland.

For further information about Music Generation Mayo initiatives and programmes, contact:

Kate Mc Keon, Co-ordinator, Music Generation Mayo
Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB, Administrative Offices, Newtown, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

T: +353 94 90 24188
E: katemckeon@msletb.ie
www.musicgenerationmayo.ie