BOP to the beat of Laois Music Generation's new orchestral sound

FROM 2025 to 2027, Music Generations Westmeath, Offaly and Laois are collaborating to develop orchestral playing across the three regions including the development of a BOP Orchestra, featuring adult musicians and young musicians from Music Generation Laois and Laois School of Music. BOP Orchestra had their first performance in 2025, in the Malthouse, Stradbally. 

For 2026, orchestra members will work with guest conductor, Veronica Urrego (Scotland/Venezuela), developing music to perform at a concert in TÚS Athlone on 17 May 2026 at 2pm.

Speaking about the project, Rosa Flannery Music Development Officer with Music Generation Laois and Laois School of Music said, "we have just had our first full BOP orchestra rehearsal for 2026 in Laois Music Centre, Portlaoise. We are very lucky to be working with Veronica Urrego for this project, the music already sounds so good! We would love to see people of all ages at our concert in TÚS Athlone on Sunday 17 May at 2pm, as it might inspire those thinking of taking up an orchestral instrument, to sign up to classes with us!"

BOP Orchestra members in Laois is made up of the Laois School of Music Youth Orchestra, Laois School of Music Dunamaise String Ensemble, Laois School of Music Junior Strings and Music Generation Laois Brass players, under the direction of Musician Educators John Davidson, Kim Melia, Irene Ramos and Anthony Flannery.

The project also includes 'Fiddle Fiesta' where hundreds of children from primary schools will take part in a large-scale gathering of violin and cello players in TÚS Athlone on 15 May.

Young violinists from Timahoe NS, Scoil Mhuire Abbeyleix and Scoil Bhride Rathdowney are taking part in Fiddle Fiesta.

Tickets and more information on musicgenerationlaois.ie BOP is Co-funded by U2, The Ireland Funds, the Arts Council/An Comhairle Ealaíon and the Department of Education and Youth, part of Music Generation's Creativity and Collaboration Fund.