Hitting all the right notes across the generations in Laois

Laois Community Choir members with Music Generation Laois, LOETB, Laois County Council, Youth Work Ireland Laois representatives at the Laois Music Centre outdoor space . Pic Alf Harvey

placeholder image — Laois Community Choir members with Music Generation Laois, LOETB, Laois County Council, Youth Work Ireland Laois representatives at the Laois Music Centre outdoor space . Pic Alf Harvey

Local agencies team up to stage Laois Community Choir debut and host Intergenerational Day in Portlaoise Parish Centre

Members of the new Laois Community Choir are busy rehearsing for their debut show as part of the upcoming events to celebrate and bring together all generations in Laois.

Age Friendly Laois has teamed up with LOETB, Music Generation Laois, Portlaoise Family Resource Centre and Youthwork Ireland Laois to host the concert and an intergenerational day this July in Portlaoise.

The new Community Choir's debut performance is set for Thursday, July 18, in the new outdoor performance space on the grounds of Laois Music Centre.

The new choral initiative began with a pilot phase in May. Its members are now singing weekly in the Laois Music Centre and Portlaoise Family Resource Centre, under the direction of Nuala Kelly. They're joined by musicians from Music Generation Laois.

The response is said to have been amazing, with over 160 members rocking up and singing their hearts out from the very first session. The choir quickly reached capacity with a broad range of ages and a diverse cross-section of the community taking part.

The choir's pilot phase will culminate in the new outdoor performance space, on the grounds in the Old Fort Cultural Quarter on July 18 at at 7pm. Admission is free and all are welcome.

The Choir looks forward to sharing the joy of singing with an audience. Director Nuala Kelly is delighted at how its gone so far. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Warming up at Laois Music Centre for the Laois Community Choir launch. Photo: Alf Harvey.

“We are blown away by the response and didn’t anticipate such large numbers, it’s wonderful. The atmosphere is amazing, there’s a real sense of community - people just want to sing,” she said.

The Choir is a joint initiative of Age Friendly Laois of Laois County Council, LOETB Community Education, Music Generation Laois and Portlaoise Family Resource Centre.

Gillian Cunningham is LOETB Community Education Facilitator

"At LOETB Community Education, we believe in the transformative power of education and the arts to bring people together.

"This venture is a testament to our commitment to fostering community connections and creating inclusive spaces where everyone can participate and thrive. The Community Choir not only provides a platform for musical expression but also strengthens bonds across different age groups, enriching the social fabric of Laois.

“ Being part of this initiative allows us to witness firsthand the joy and camaraderie that music can inspire. It is heartwarming to see individuals of all ages come together, share their love for singing, and build meaningful relationships. These moments of connection are what community education is all about—bringing people together, breaking down barriers, and celebrating our shared humanity," she said.

Joan Bolger is based at the Portlaoise Family Resource Centre. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Nuala Kelly puts them through their paces. Pic: Alf Harvey

“It’s great that the choir is an expression of the inclusiveness of the Portlaoise community and of interagency partnerships in Laois. To have such diversity and energy in the rehearsal room is energising. New friendships are being made over the cuppa at the break and the smiles and laughs throughout rehearsals. Nuala led the choir in a warm friendly way that brings out the best in everyone. This is what community development and family support is all about,” she said.

Paul Donnelly, also of the Portlaoise Family Resource Centre concluded: “Choirs are hugely beneficial for people’s mental, physical and spiritual well-being. They offer a sense of belonging and community coupled with pure enjoyment and fun.

"It is fantastic to see the interest, commitment and joy in this 8 week pop up choir and in the Autumn, we hope to harness that energy and see it evolve into a more permanent choir that will provide an outlet for the musical passion of people in Portlaoise and the wider Laois community,” said Mr Donnelly. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Meanwhile, on Friday, July 19 Age Friendly Laois and Youthwork Ireland Laois are joining forces to host an intergenerational day in the Portlaoise Parish Centre,

The organisers say the Laois Intergenerational Day will bring together members of Comhairle na nÓg and older people from Laois and see generations coming together to discuss current topics, attitudes towards age groups and any other matters that the group raise.

The aim of the day is to bridge the generational gap, to challenge perceptions and stereotypes and most of all to bring ages together.

The organisers say some of the benefits of intergenerational work include the creation of age-friendly communities, the tackling of issues around stereotyping and ageism and the fostering of respect and understanding.

Clive Davis of Youth Work Ireland Laois is looking forward to the event.

"The intergenerational work with Age Friendly Laois and Youth Work Ireland Laois is so important. It brings together people of all ages to learn from each other and to build relationships. This work helps to break down stereotypes and to create a more inclusive community," he said.

Rosemary Kunene of Comhairle na nÓg added that young people are happy to participate.

“We are delighted to host an intergenerational event with Age Friendly Laois. It would be amazing to see how the two generations interact with each other and help each other to challenge assumptions and prejudices about the older and young people, therefore, improving intergenerational relationships,” she said.

Tom Curran of Age Friendly Laois believes all involved will benefit. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Rosa Flannery, Music Generation Laois; Gilian Cunningham, LOETB; Tom Curran, Laois County Council; Nuala Kelly, Music Generation Laois; Clive Davis, Youth Work Ireland Laois and Eileen Dunne, LOETB at Laois Music Centre for the Laois Community Choir launch. Photo: Alf Harvey.

“Historically, younger people have always learned from their elders but with busy lives, and with more communication tools than ever, perhaps we have lost the opportunity to have face-to-face communication with each other than before.

“ Old and young can only benefit from spending time together and both the community choir and the intergenerational event on the 19th of July is something that will start a conversation and seek to keep it going!

“The response to the community choir has been great and it is great to see such numbers across the ages getting together to share such an uplifting activity, ” he said.

What is intergenerational work?

Ages working together- in a modern busy society with advances in technology and time being at a premium, it is more important than ever that mixed ages work together. They can learn from each other and earn an appreciation of each other. Learning from your elders has been with us for a long time but in a modern busy society with advances in technology and time being at a premium, we may have lost some of these opportunities.

Benefits of intergenerational work

Creation of age friendly communities.
All generations have a lot to both teach and learn from each other and contribute to lifelong learning.
Tackles issues around stereotyping and ageism.
Increases understanding and respect between older people and younger people.
Chance to make new friends and combats social isolation.
It's lots of fun!

Further Info: