Laois musicians give Coldplay's classic a lash at ‘Fiddle Fiesta’ workshop
Some of the young Laois musicians at the workshop
Over 60 musicians from Laois travelled to TUS Athlone on Friday 16 May, to take part in a violin workshop day called 'Fiddle Fiesta'.
55 violin players from Scoil Bhríde Rathdowney, and 11 violin players from Scoil Mhuire Fatima Timahoe, joined with other young musicians from school programmes in Music Generations across Offaly, Westmeath and Longford.
Under the direction of Veronica Urrego, a violinist based in Scotland, and originally from Venezuela, 170 young violinists took part, alongside a live band.
John Davidson of Music Generation Laois teaches violin in Scoil Bhríde Rathdowney each week, while Irene Ramos of Music Generation Laois teaches violin in Scoil Mhuire Fatima Timahoe. John and Irene travelled to Athlone and worked along-side Veronica to create a large-scale string orchestra. Fiddle Fiesta is part of a new project called Building Orchestral Pathways (BOP), which seeks to develop string and orchestral playing in the midlands, supported by the Music Generation/Arts Council Partnership Creativity and Collaboration Fund.
Most recently young musicians and adult musicians from Laois formed a BOP Orchestra along with musicians from Music Generations Offaly and Westmeath. BOP Orchestra had their debut performance in Music at the Malthouse on Sunday 11 May, presented by Music Generation Laois, conducted by Diane Daly (Irish Chamber Orchestra).
Speaking at the Fiddle Fiesta event, Rosa Flannery Music Development Officer with Music Generation Laois, said: “We are having a wonderful day with our young violin players in TUS Athlone. A large-scale performance of Coldplay's Viva La Vida has been the highlight for many of the children involved. It’s really exciting for our young players to meet other musicians from neighbouring counties, play music, have fun and get the opportunity to work with Veronica Urrego. Veronica works with El Sistema Scotland and she also conducts the National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain. We are really excited about how our BOP project, led by Music Generation Westmeath in partnership with ourselves, Music Generation Laois, and with Music Generation Offaly, will create lots of inspirational opportunities for musicians in the midlands.'
Music Generation Laois and Laois School of Music's Annual Open Evening will take place on Tuesday 17 June in Laois Music Centre from 6-8pm. All are welcome to come and meet the team of Musician Educators and try out lots of musical instruments.
Music Generation Laois is part of Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board and supported by Laois County Council.
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