Midland’s Young Musicians Take Part In First Ever Royal Irish Academy Of Music Regional Wind Festival, Athlone

On Sunday 6 March young musicians came together from four community-based wind bands for the Royal Irish Academy of Music’s (RIAM) first ever Regional Wind Festival, held in partnership with Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath (MGOW).

2016_Wind Festival Music Generation Offaly Westmeath Tutor Niall Mannion with members of Athlone Schools Orchestra. Photo by Corin Bishop

Around 100 young musicians, including members of Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath’s growing ensemble, the Athlone Schools Orchestra, and the cadet band from the Mullingar Town Band converged on Athlone Institute of Technology to take part in the day-long musical event.

A jam-packed schedule of masterclass performances, instrument demonstrations and sectional rehearsals was concluded with a grand performance when all four groups combined to perform the new music learnt over the course of the day. Young musicians clearly enjoyed the day and commented on how their skills had benefitted and on how much fun the experience had been!

With a great response from Festival attendees, and the exchange of knowledge between RIAM and MGOW musicians, Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath’s Development Officer Margaret Broome is looking forward to developing similar festivals and opportunities for young musicians in the future.

2016_Wind Festival (L-R) MGOW musicians Paul Hensey (Director of Athlone Schools Orchestra) with tutors Andrew Kin-yip Yau, Niall Mannion and Bob Batty pictured with Athlone Schools Orchestra. Photo by Corin Bishop

Margaret said: “partnering with the Royal Irish Academy of Music created a super opportunity for wind, brass and percussion players to benefit from world class advice and tuition right here in the Midlands. We were delighted that when the RIAM started to develop this opportunity they thought of Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath and given the success of this first Midlands Wind Festival we hope very much to be able to work with the Royal Irish Academy again in the future.”

With the second Singfest 2016 rehearsal approaching fast, Music Generation Offaly/Westmeath continues to develop new performance music education opportunities for children and young people across Offaly and Westmeath, aiming to reach even more young musicians.

For more information visit the Music Generation Offaly / Westmeath Facebook page or www.musicgeneration.ie.