New Ukrainian choir to feature in free Laois community concert in Portlaoise

A new Laois based Ukrainian Choir will perform in a special free concert in Portlaoise later this month.

Inter-generational Ukrainian Choir - ‘Mallows’ - was set up in January under the Ukrainian Health and Well Being Support fund of Laois County Council.

Co-ordinated and facilitated by Music Generation Laois, the choir are meeting twice-weekly in Laois Music Centre under the direction of Nataliia Rehesha, a choral director from Kyiv who has been living with her family in Laois since March 2022.

The choir has brought about a new network of Ukrainians living in Laois, creating a space for them to support each other and express their rich culture in singing traditional Ukrainian songs.

The formation of the choir sparked an idea to have a Community Concert with groups who work with Music Generation Laois throughout the year in various programmes across the county.

The free concert takes place in SS Peter & Paul’s Church, Portlaoise on Friday, March 31 at 5pm.

Taking part are Mallows Ukrainian Choir; The Heath NS Children’s Choir – MGL Whole Classroom Singing Programme; Children from Laois Partnership After-Schools Programmes; Uilleann Pipes Quartet – MGL Trad Programme; MGL Transition Year Music Ensemble; Mountmellick, Portlaoise and Rathdowney Men’s Sheds – MGL/Healthy Ireland Programme.

This concert promises to be a fantastic community event, bringing together a diverse range of musical genres and performers. Free admission, donations welcome.

The event is supported by Healthy Ireland/Department of Health, Laois County Council, Laois Offaly Education and Training Board Further Education and Training Centre and Local Creative Youth Partnership, Laois Partnership/CYPSE, Music Generation.