Young Longford musicians participate in Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra workshops in Tullamore
Over 30 young musicians from all over the midlands enjoyed masterclasses with top-class string, wind, brass and percussion tutors and performers
The Irish Midlands Youth Orchestra (IMYO) held a very successful series of workshops over the weekend of August 24 and 25, in the Charleville Centre, Tullamore.
Over 30 young musicians from all over the midlands enjoyed masterclasses with top-class string, wind, brass and percussion tutors and performers.
Formed in 2006, the IMYO aims to provide high-quality orchestral experiences for young musicians, with participants from the midland counties, including Longford.
Members not only develop their musical talents and learn to play together as part of a team. They also develop their social skills, making lots of new friends, and improving their confidence and self-esteem.
The orchestra is very fortunate to have Matt Rafter as its Musical Director. Matt is a talented cellist with both the Vltava and Belenus String Quartets and has toured internationally as cellist with Hozier and has recorded and performed as a cellist with many other Irish artists.
Matt also works as Ensemble Manager with Crash Ensemble, Ireland’s leading new music group. His passion for music education has led him to work variously as a conductor, instrumental tutor and resource worker across many different programmes and organisations. He has previously conducted Trinity Orchestra, Fingal Youth Orchestra, as well as Téada Orchestra which he co-founded in 2013.
The IMYO rehearses once a month and performs about 3 to 4 times a year. Recent concerts have included “Classical Youth” in May 2024 in collaboration with GLOR Children’s Choir and GLOR Youth Choir in Moate.
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The orchestra worked with Julianstown Youth Orchestra and The Limerick School of Music throughout last season culminating in a concert in the Redemptorist Church in Limerick in April 2024.
The IMYO have embarked on several foreign trips where they have performed with other groups and orchestras, the most recent being in Madrid in April 2023 where they teamed up with La Fantastica Banda and the Orquesta Escuela del Barrio for workshops and a concert. As well as their rehearsals and performance, the orchestra members enjoyed the sights and sounds of the city and a special visit to the Irish Ambassador’s residence.
The IMYO has a packed schedule for 2024/25 including a performance in the National Concert Hall in February next as part of the Festival of Youth Orchestras. The IMYO regularly auditions new members who play orchestral instruments with a Grade 5 or above.
For further information please see our website: www.imyo.ie, contact [email protected] or find us on Facebook.