50 young flautists join Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway for a special ‘Galway Community Flute Day’

On Sunday 10 December 2017, 50 young flautists from six different Music Generation partnership areas braved cold, rain and snow to travel to Dublin for a very special 'Galway Community Flute Day’. Hosted at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, and together with Academy flute students, the young musicians enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in a masterclass and collaborative performance with world-renowned musicians Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne Galway.

The flautists, ages 8 to 18, hailed from Music Generation Cork City, Carlow College of Music (in collaboration with Music Generation Carlow), Music Generation Laois, Music Generation Louth, Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath and Music Generation Wicklow.

In the weeks prior to the event each group was tasked with rehearsing a diverse and challenging repertoire, set for them especially by Sir James and Lady Jeanne, under the direction of their musicians/tutors in their local areas. Then on Sunday afternoon, accompanied by their tutors, the players were separated into small groups for hands-on workshops with these two internationally acclaimed musicians, where they had an opportunity to refine their performance and playing technique, and practice the repertoire with flautists from other counties.

The repertoire ranged from Brian Boru’s March, to Mozart’s ‘Marriage of Figaro’, to The Swan (Le Cygne) and of course, Danny Boy. The afternoon was rounded off with a collaborative performance featuring all of the musicians playing together for their friends, families and fellow young flautists.

This inspirational event was presented and delivered by the Galway Flute Academy in partnership with Music Generation and the Royal Irish Academy of Music.

For more information about the Galway Flute Academy visit: www.galwayfluteacademy.com