Young harpers from Kinjo Gaukin High School in Japan arrived in Laois for a three-day tour from Monday, March 23 to Wednesday, March 25. Hosted by Music Generation Laois, the group of 38 harpers had a jam-packed schedule. Their itinerary included a day in Dunamase College, where students and staff gave them a very Irish welcome, with Irish language classes, Gaelic football, a ceilí, musical performances and refreshments. The Kinjo Gaukin High School Harp Ensemble also performed in Rath NS, Ballybrittas, where Music Generation Laois facilitates a weekly harp programme. Other events for the group of Japanese students included a ceilí in Laois Music Centre with Maureen Culleton, harp and bodhrán workshops, and a visit to Emo Court. The visit ended with a collaborative harp concert in Laois Music Centre, featuring Music Generation Laois Junior and Senior harp ensembles and harpers from Kinjo Gaukin High School. Special guest, Laois harper Triona Marshall also performed alongside Siobhan Buckley who leads the Music Generation Laois Harp Programme. Aibhlínn McCrann, Chairperson of Harp Ireland, Rosaleen Molloy, National Director of Music Generation, and Muireann Ní Chonaill, Laois Arts Officer, were all in attendance for the collaborative harp concert to mark the end of the Japanese visit. In 2023, 5 harpers from Music Generation Laois along with their teacher Siobhan Buckley went on a 10-day concert tour of Japan. The tour included a collaboration with Kinjo Gaukin High School Harp Ensemble. Speaking about the visit to Laois, Music Development Officer with Music Generation Laois, Rosa Flannery said: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Kinjo Gaukin High School. Our harpers now have a shared repertoire, which they can perform together. Bringing our young harpers and young harpers from Japan together, along with their teachers, is such an enriching cultural opportunity. “We are most grateful to all schools, parents, guardians, the wider community, local and national organisations who
PICTURES: Japanese students visit Laois for three-day musical tour
Students from Kinjo Gaukin High School in Japan were hosted by Music Generation Laois
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Performers at Laois Music Centre for the harp concert.
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The harp concert being performed by Music Generation Laois and Kinjo Gakuin High School.
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Special guest Triona Marshall with Music Generation Laois' harp tutor Siobhan Buckley.
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Muireann Ní Chonaill, Laois Arts Officer, Rosaleen Molloy, Director of Music Generation Ireland, Aibhlínn McCrann, Chairperson of Harp Ireland, Peter Finnegan and Rosa Flannery from Music Generation Laois.
