Classical musicians set to sparkle at Longford's Camlin Keys Festival

The 2024 Camlin Keys Festival was officially launched in the delightful surrounds of Castlecor House, Ballymahon last Tuesday.

Loretta Ginty hosted the evening with a recital of airs on the piano and violin.

Cllr Paul Ross (then Ballymahon Municipal District Cathaoirleach) opened the evening offering words of support and encouragement on behalf of both Ballymahon Municipal and Longford County Council, who are funding the Festival with the support of Creative Longford and Longford Arts Office.

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Joanna Pearman, co-founder of Camlin Keys, thanked everyone for their ongoing support. “There was such interest in the piano festival last year from both within the county and much further afield, we have expanded this year to include a bowed string section and a vocal workshop. It is so valuable to be able to give up-coming classical musicians the opportunity to play and share their music.”

Francesca Pawelczyk, of the Camlin Keys committee agreed, “Music, and the arts, are something people can take for granted. It is an absolute pleasure to be involved with an event supporting, encouraging, and showcasing the talents of young people, and new for this year, giving an opportunity for all ages to learn how to play music.”

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Andrew Yau and Niall Mannion played for the launch, giving a taster of what is to come over the weekend of July 5 and 6. With a slight adjustment to the festival’s initial programming, Andrew will be adjudicating the piano classes and Niall the strings.

Andrew will also be facilitating our composition workshop and with the help of participating musicians, work on a very exciting project creating an original Camlin Keys piece of music. Niall will be sharing his concert experience and giving hints and tips to beat any performance jitters and help make happier healthier music!

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The festival opens on Friday, July 5 at 7pm with Athlone A Cappella, ladies barbershop chorus, joined by Wings of Ukraine, Longford's own Ukrainian choir and Ubuntu Voices, an intercultural and intergenerational choir formed for the joy of singing together. The three choirs will be singing both as individual groups and a couple of pieces all together, so a lively and happy evening promised.

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Saturday launches with the Mindful Musician class, followed by our festival classes. In the afternoon there will be a Composition Workshop with Andrew Yau, and the Musical Theatre vocal workshop with, Danna Davis.

There are two concerts planned for Saturday afternoon/evening. The afternoon Family Concert, with the morning class performers, then Lenny Chen, fabulous young pianist from Boyle who will be joined by the Selve family, fresh from accomplishing many commendations in the RDS Feis Ceoil. Lenny will play the piano, then Athenias, Ariane-Eugenie and Aristide will play violin, followed by Lenny, Aristide and Athénaís playing 6 hands on the piano!

Concert tickets are available on Ticket Tailor, through Camlin Keys Festival on social media and their website, www.camlinkeys.ie, or message: 086 237 2616, email: camlinkeyspianofestival@gmail.com.

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