SLIGO’S YOUNG MUSICAL AMBASSADORS TO PERFORM AT DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SKILLS EU PRESIDENCY EVENT
On Wednesday January 30th two of Sligo’s finest musical representatives – Teaspach traditional band and harpist Elsa Kelly - will take centre stage to perform as guest artists for the Department of Education and Skills’ Conference on Higher Education, an event organised as part of Ireland’s EU Presidency. Nominated by Music Generation Sligo (a new music education service for children and young people in Co. Sligo, initiated by Music Network and co-funded by U2 and The Ireland Funds in partnership with Sligo VEC, Sligo County Council Arts Service, Sligo Education Centre, Sligo County Childcare Committee, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government) these musical ambassadors will perform to a distinguished international audience at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
Teaspach is a group of young musicians whose repertoire and style reflects the great Sligo music tradition. Formed three years ago under their director Jos Kelly, Teaspach were the winners of the 2012 Siansa Gael Linn national award for young traditional groups. In high demand locally and nationally, they recently performed at the Temple Bar Trad Fest as part of Ceol na nÓg Sligeach in the Dublin premiere of Michael Rooney’s The De Cuéllar Suite at Christchurch Cathedral. Elsa Kelly started playing traditional Irish music at the age of six and quickly progressed, winning numerous all-Ireland medals for harp, flute and group playing. She was a member of Spraoi which won the Siansa Gael Linn competition in 2009 and is also a member of Ceol na nÓg Sligeach. She is the senior harp teacher with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann Fred Finn Sligeach and teaches and performs regularly at festivals and concerts throughout Ireland.
“Music Generation is delighted to have the opportunity to work with the Department of Education and Skills, Local Music Education Partnerships and many young musicians through the country on this ambitious performance programme to mark Ireland’s Presidency of the EU.” said Rosaleen Molloy, National Director of Music Generation. “We can have no finer ambassadors than our children and young people – the Music Generation of the future.”
This performance is the second in a series of exciting musical celebrations that have been organised by the Department of Education and Skills and Music Generation for Ireland’s EU Presidency which will feature some of Ireland’s finest young musicians throughout the country over the coming months.
Notes to editors:
Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music Education Programme, initiated by Music Network and funded by U2 and The Ireland Funds, together with a range of local partners. Music Generation helps children and young people to access music education in their local area. Music Generation is currently established in Carlow, Cork City, Laois, Limerick City, Louth, Mayo, Offaly/Westmeath, Sligo and Wicklow and works with Music Education Partnerships in each of these areas. Music Generation also works closely with the Department of Education and Skills who have committed to co-fund the programme with local Music Education Partnerships from July 2014. Visit www.musicgeneration.ie for further information.
Music Generation Sligo is part of Music Generation and provides a local music education service for children and young people in Co. Sligo. It is managed by Sligo Music Education Partnership and co-funded by Sligo VEC, Sligo County Council Arts Service, Sligo Education Centre, Sligo County Childcare Committee, the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. For further information visit
www.musicgenerationsligo.com
Teaspach is a Sligo based traditional group of 8 young musicians performing a fresh lively mix of old and new tunes and songs .Their repertoire and style reflects the great Sligo music tradition but also includes new compositions from Michael Rooney and beautifully crafted arrangements of Irish and Scottish dance tunes. The group’s singing features sweet harmonies in great traditional songs and more modern airs including a Thom Moore composition. Their tutor and musical director is Jos Kelly is a member of the well-known group the JPTrio and of Spraoi who were 2009 Siansa Gael Linn winners. Teaspach were winners of the 2012 Siansa Gael Linn competition which is the most prestigious national award for young traditional groups. All but one of the group are aged under 17 and attending Sligo schools, four attend Sligo Grammar School and all are members of the Ceol na nÓg Sligeach Orchestra and local Comhaltas branches. Teaspach have being together for three years and have had so much fun developing their musicianship and learning the skills of tight group performance.
Teaspach members performing at Kilmainham are Paddy Gavin (accordion & vocals), Nell Kelly (fiddle), Hannah Kelly (Concertina/Vocals), Ide Mc Kenna ( flute) and Aine Martin ( Piano /Harp).
Elsa Kelly started playing traditional Irish music at the age of six. She progressed from the tin whistle to the concert flute and then eventually on to the harp at the age of twelve. It was during transition year that Elsa gained an interest in teaching music. Before this she had been involved in Group and solo competitions and received numerous all-Ireland solo medals on harp, flute as well as duet, trio and grupa ceoil medals. She was a member of Spraoi, a group of eight musicians from Sligo, who won first place in the Siansa Gael Linn competition in 2009. She is currently a member of Ceol Na nÓg Sligeach which is a Classical/Traditional Orchestra. They have performed two suites of music, The Battle of the Books (2007)and The De Cuellar Suite (2011), both composed by Michael Rooney. Elsa’s harp playing is influenced by harpists such as Catriona McKay and Michael Rooney. She is currently the senior harp teacher at Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann Fred Finn Sligeach and teaches and performs regularly at festivals and concerts throughout Ireland.
