Lullaby: A Tale of Two Cities

Ballymun Lullaby performed by combined choir of RTÉ Cór na nÓg, Ballymun Music Programme, Presentation Secondary School Choir, Ballyphehane and Maria Assumpta National School Girls’ Choir with DIT Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Brophy (Principal Conductor, RTÉ Concert Orchestra)

MC: Evelyn Grant

National Concert Hall (NCH) Dublin on November 26 at 8pm

DIT Ballymun Music Programme and Music Generation Cork City are delighted to announce a special inter-city initiative featuring two performances of the acclaimed ‘Ballymun Lullaby’ at the National Concert Hall and Cork City Hall. The concerts will feature the talents of over 200 children in a combined choir of RTÉ Cór na nÓg, Ballymun Music Project, Presentation Secondary School Choir (All-island winners 2010 and 2011), Ballyphehane and Maria Assumpta National School Girls’ Choir, Cork.

Together in a ground-breaking collaboration, they will perform the choral and orchestral music of Ballymun Lullaby, written by Daragh O’Toole (Composer and orchestral arranger, including U2’s 'The Sweetest Thing’). To celebrate the event, Daragh O’Toole has written a new movement for the ‘Lullaby’ which will be premiered at the Cork concert and also performed in the NCH. Another big highlight will be Ballymun singer Wayne Beatty’s performance of the ‘Toys Waltz’, a single from the Ballymun Lullaby CD, being promoted this year for the Christmas market.

‘Ballymun Lullaby’ has also become a hit documentary film, winning the Directors Guild of America Directors Finders Series 2011 and received 4-star reviews from The Irish Times, Irish Independent and RTE TEN. This collaborative performance of Ballymun Lullaby will not only present a concert that is both accomplished and unique, but will also bring together young people from Cork and Dublin to celebrate a musical bond between the two cities and their budding music talent.

“We hope this concert will show the true potential of the Music Generation programme for the children of Cork City,” said Margaret O’Sullivan, Music Generation Cork City coordinator, “both as a platform to showcase musical performance of a very high standard from young Irish pupils and also to share ideas and experiences with their peers around the country.”

Having worked fifteen years in Ballymun, an area of disadvantage and viewed by many in a negative light, music teacher, Ron Cooney, decided that attitudes had to change. Working with the young people of Ballymun and in collaboration with Daragh O’Toole, they produced a compilation of music, giving the young people of Ballymun a voice, which continues through their music, reshaping Ballymun’s identity as a place to be proud of. According to Ron, “It is as much the experiences and music behind Ballymun Lullaby as the production itself that captured the imagination of public. Music knows no class or county boundaries and it’s a real pathway for children with talent who can mature into successful and happy musicians. It’s a great choice for young children, potentially leading to a great life.”

Music Generation Cork City will also launch the first performance of Chorcaí faoi Shuan (Cork Lullaby), songs composed by Fiona Kelleher,with music arranged and composed by John O’Brien – the first performance will take place in City Hall with children from Gaelscoil Mhachan, members of the Cork Opera House Voice Effect choir, and a special part written for the audience to sing on the day!

Says Margaret O'Sullivan, “We’d also like to thank our partners in Music Generation Cork City, namely; City of Cork VEC, Cork City Council, Cork City Partnership, Cork Institute of Technology, University College Cork, HSE, Music Network and Music Generation including donors U2 and the Ireland Funds. It is thanks to their vision and generosity that we will be able to bring fantastic occasions such as this to the people of Cork city."

The ‘Ballymun Lullaby’ EP has been re-released and is available in most record shops nationwide. National Concert Hall (NCH) Dublin on November 26th at 8pm: Tickets on sale from the NCH box office and online from the NCH for €15 for adults and €10 for children.

ENDS.

Further information: Ron Cooney 087 9809040 or Carmel Doyle 087 2473537, Linda Plover 086 1971953