GOOD NEWS for our innovative, community focused Irish Chamber Orchestra that has long been involved in training school children for free in music. The Orchestra is now one of 30 projects to be supported by the Creative Ireland Programme as part of a new National Creativity Fund.
The planned investment in the 30 initiatives over the duration of the Fund this year into 2019 is €1.2m.
This funding will enable the Plassey based orchestra to develop a Limerick City Youth Orchestra (LCYO) for 12-18 year olds. It will meet weekly in a city centre venue, not yet confirmed.
Augmented by intensive camps throughout the year, this young orchestra will provide tuition and allow its emerging teens to perform and grow as musicians.
Typically for the ICO’s agenda and Creative Ireland, it is all about broadening access to arts and culture within local communities.
From Gerard Keenan, CEO of Irish Chamber Orchestra: “We are passionate about supporting the next generation of young musicians and are constantly providing opportunities to our Sing Out students who are interested in pursuing music.
“This new development allows us to provide the next stepping stone on their musical journey.”
Over the past decade, the Sing Out With Strings initiative has provided free tuition in singing, songwriting and string instruments to 300 children throughout Limerick city, developing not only musical but key life skills and innate confidence.
