Music Generation Laois set to mark National Harp Day 2018

On Saturday 20 October in St Peter’s Church of Ireland, Portlaoise, the Music Generation Laois Harp Orchestra and the Harpettes will perform at 4pm in a very special concert to mark National Harp Day 2018. The young musicians will play alongside Tríona Marshall (harp) and David Power (Uilleann Pipes).

Tríona Marshall, a world renowned harpist from Mountmellick, County Laois, will perform a set with well-known Uilleann Piper from Dungarvan, David Power. The Music Generation Laois Harp Orchestra will perform a new musical work composed by Siobhán Buckley, Director of the Orchestra. The Harpettes, the most junior harp ensemble from Music Generation Laois established by Siobhán in September 2017, will also collaborate with Tríona as part of the concert.

Lá na Cruite/National Harp Day, now in its second year, will celebrate the national instrument of Ireland in locations across the country from Derry to Dingle.

Speaking about the forthcoming concert, Coordinator of Music Generation Laois, Rosa Flannery said: ‘We are very excited to present this concert to mark National Harp Day, featuring both young musicians and adult musicians. In many ways the concert represents the story of the harp in Laois. Tríona Marshall is a harpist of international repute, and the young musicians of Laois continue to be inspired by her. I'm also delighted that the concert will feature the premiere of new music, composed by the talented Siobhán Buckley. We are very fortunate to have the support of Creative Ireland Laois to make this new musical commission possible.’

Music Generation Laois currently has over 120 harp students, 3 harp ensembles and a harp orchestra.

Lá na Cruite/National Harp Day is led by Cruit Éireann (Harp Ireland),the national umbrella organisation for the harp, its organisations, harp players and harp makers in Ireland. It was established in 2016 by harpers in collaboration with the Arts Council to support the continuing development of the harp in Ireland, gain recognition for its unique status and secure its sustainability.

Elsewhere the recently formed Music Generation Mayo Harp Ensemble will also participate in National Harp Day, joining harpers and tutors Laoise Kelly and Gráinne Hambly for a performance in Westport.

Tickets to the Laois concert are available on the door at St Peter’s Church on Saturday 20 October. Admission is €5. Doors open at 3.30pm and the concert will begin at 4pm.

Catriona McKay in collaboration with the Music Generation Laois Harp Ensemble in a new composition premiere performance at the Music Generation Laois New Works Series - 22 May 2016

For more information about this and other Music Generation Laois programmes and events contact:

Rosa Flannery, Coordinator
Music Generation Laois, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co Laois

T: +353 57 866 4176
E: musicgenerationlaois[at]laoiscoco.ie
www.musicgenerationlaois.ie