1,000 Young Singers from Offaly and Westmeath to Hit the High Notes at Spectacular Music Generation ‘Singfest 2016’ Gala Concert on Saturday 11 June
Athlone Institute of Technology
Saturday 11 June, 4pm
More than 1,000 singers from Music Generation Offaly Westmeath (MGOW) will raise their voices and join international choral conductor Greg Beardsell for a very special Gala Concert on Saturday 11 June 2016 in Athlone, marking the conclusion of Singfest 2016 – a ground-breaking choral residency developed by MGOW in partnership with the Association of Irish Choirs. Funded under the Arts Council / Music Generation Partnership, Singfest is a unique, year-long choral programme which aims to bring professional musicians from Ireland and overseas together with children and young people to create new opportunities and experiences through the joy of group singing.
The Singfest Gala Concert will be the debut performance of three brand new choirs formed by MGOW through the Singfest initiative: The Junior Choir for ages 7 – 10; The Young Voices Choir for ages 11 – 14; and The Senior Choir, a four-part choir for young people ages 14 – 19. Members of the three choirs come from all areas of Offaly and Westmeath and from all levels of musical experience. Over the course of the past six months they have been given the opportunity to learn new skills and vocal techniques and to enjoy singing in harmony, in groups and as a large ensemble.
Monthly rehearsals, which took place in Athlone Institute of Technology since February 2016, were guided by the newly formed Singfest Team – an inspirational group of musicians from the Irish Youth Choir and Music Generation Offaly Westmeath (MGOW), including leading vocal and choral professionals. In addition to having the opportunity to work with Singfest Artistic Director, Greg Beardsell, the young singers have trained with Musical Directors Helen Hassett and Eunan McDonald of the Irish Youth Choir.
Joining the 1,000 singers for this momentous Gala Concert performance will be Fergal Caulfield (RTÉ Symphony Orchestra), the MGOW Backline Band and the MGOW Baroque Players, which brings together Music Generation Offaly Westmeath musicians and young string players from Maynooth University.
