Music Generation Clare released an insightful, short documentary on the formation of Ireland's first-ever Irish Concertina Orchestra.
"The Road to 2022" tells the story of forty-four talented concertina players from Co. Clare and surrounding counties who came together in 2020 to form the bespoke Irish Concertina Orchestra. The young concertinists are led by a highly accomplished musician team, Dr Tim Collins, Sinead Mulqueen, Cillian King and Conor O'Loughlin.
The mini-documentary hears from the young participants, Musician Educators and guest musicians from the Irish Chamber Orchestra who were part of a very unique collaboration concert in May 2022.
"A huge amount of talent, work and practice has gone into it and they were all superb. It was a wonderful fusion of different genres and instruments. The Irish Concertina Orchestra and Irish Chamber Orchestra were just super!" -Audience Member at Glór, Ennis May 2022
The programme culminated with a special collaboration performance in Glór, Ennis in May 2022 with some of Ireland’s top multi-genre musicians from the Irish Chamber Orchestra, Cormac McCarthy and ZoDoMo (Zoë Conway, Dónal Lunny & Mairtin O'Connor). The performance included original work by renowned concertina player Dr Tim Collins who is a member of Kilfenora Céilí Band and co-director of the Consairtín Festival.
ZoDoMo was commissioned to compose a piece in three parts for this special collaboration. The young concertina players were not phased by the unusual chords, tricky key changes and cross-rhythms throughout the new work. Their commitment, determination and talents were evident on stage and brought the audience to their feet in applause after the final beat!
Watch "The Road to 2022" on YouTube here.
Irish Concertina Orchestra have lots of exciting events, special guests and performances to be announced over the coming months. Stay tuned for updates on Music Generation Clare social media and we will keep you posted here on our website.
This initiative was funded by Music Generation and the Arts Council of Ireland through the Creativity and Collaboration Fund.
As part of a national network, Music Generation Clare (MGCE) is managed and funded locally by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, with key funding support coming from Clare County Council.
Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education Programme that gives children and young people access to high-quality, subsidised performance music education. Initiated by Music Network, Music Generation is co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Department of Education and Local Music Education Partnerships (LMEPs) in which Education and Training Board and Local Authorities play a lead role.
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