Last night, Wednesday 27 November 2019, six young flautists from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (dlr) and Offaly/Westmeath joined the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, students of the Royal Irish Academy of Music and the Galway Flute Academy to celebrate Sir James Galway at 80. Together with Lady Jeanne Galway, Sir James led the full ensemble, including the young musicians, in a finale performance of ‘Galway Fair’, rounding off this very special event at the National Concert Hall in Dublin.
Among those in the audience on the night was Uachtaráin na hÉireann, President Michael D. Higgins.
The six flautists, ranging in age from 14 to 17, each participate in flute lessons in partnership with Music Generation in their local areas. Ciara, Lucie and Conall from dlr are members of the Sandyford Youth Band under the baton of Michael Meegan. Sarah, Emily and Sophie from Athlone and Mullingar are members of Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath's Sinfonia orchestral development initiative.
They were invited to take part in the concert by Niall Carroll and the RTE Concert Orchestra, who presented the event and wished to recognise Sir James and Lady Jeanne’s ongoing commitment to developing young musicians as people and as artists. They were in good company, with soloists at the event including Brian Dunning, Matt Molloy, Tríona Marshall and Damien Mullane among others.
The group worked hard in the run up to the night, rehearsing at home as well as together with the Concert Conductor, David Brophy, in Dublin. As Young Ambassadors for Music Generation these young people did themselves and their counties proud, playing an important role in this significant occasion to honour ‘the man with the golden flute’!
Wishing Sir James a very happy birthday on behalf of all at Music Generation!
