A night of talent and collaboration across Limerick and Clare

Patrick Oโ€™Brien, Music Development Officer, Music Generation Limerick County; David Oโ€™Connell, former Principal Limerick School of Music; Boris Hunka, Music Development Officer, Music Generation Limerick City; Rhiannon Giddens, multi Grammy award winning musician and Pulitzer prize winning composer and parent at Limerick School of Music; Bernadette Cullen Chief Executive, Limerick and Clare ETB; Paul Patton, Director of Further Education and Training, Limerick and Clare ETB; and Pรกdraig Rynne, Music Development Officer, Music Generation Clare.

LIMERICK and Clare Education and Training Boardโ€™s music education programmes throughout the region came together recently for a spectacular night of performances.

Music Connexions, at University Concert Hall Limerick,ย  showcased the incredible talent of young musicians from Limerick School of Music (LSOM), Music Generation Limerick City, Music Generation Clare, and Music Generation Limerick County. The event marked the first time all four programmes showcased their talents together.

Attending the event,ย Bernadette Cullen, Limerick and Clare ETB Chief Executive, spoke about the importance of music education in enriching young lives and strengthening communities: “Tonightโ€™s event highlights the power of music education to inspire creativity, build confidence, and unite communities. By bringing together young musicians from Limerick and Clare, weโ€™re not just celebrating their talent, but also fostering collaborationย and excellenceย  that will have a lasting impact on the cultural landscapeย and opportunities for the young peopleย of our region.”

The evening began with aย Musical Trail, with groups from each programme performing in the concert hall foyer, creating a lively, busking-style atmosphere for arriving guests.ย The main stage concert featured performances from a variety of ensembles, including Music Generation Limerick Cityโ€™sย Three Short Pieces for Mixed Ensembleย andย Combined Harp Ensemblesย and Music Generation Clareโ€™sย Harp Ensembleย andย Coolcappa NS Harpers, Forรณige West Limerick Youth Initiative Newcastle West โ€“ Creative Learning and Digital Hub performed โ€˜The Chainโ€™ by Fleetwood Mac.

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Other highlights from the concert included performances from Limerick School of Music soloists, including flautist Sadhbh Oโ€™Leary and pianist Luke Yu, who captivated the audience with works by Poulenc and Grieg. Theย LSOM Senior Orchestraย andย Music Generation Clare Concertina Orchestraย performedย โ€˜Vividityโ€™ย by Padraig Rynne, while the evening concluded with a rousing performance ofย โ€˜The Magnificent Sevenโ€™ย and an Irish Rock Medley by John Oโ€™Shea. The event concluded with a celebratory set by theย Limerick School of Music Big Bandย back in the UCH foyer.

Speaking about the unique concert, Cecilia Madden, Limerick School of Music Principal and event organiser, said: “We are very grateful for the chance to allow all of these wonderful young musicians to hear each other and begin a musical dialogue that we hope will go on for many years. It is so encouraging to see the benefits of the hard work and investment that has gone into these music programmes”.

The audience on the night was made up of friends and family of the musicians and music supporters from all the music programmes who loved the collaboration which highlighted the transformative power of music, bringing together young musicians from across Limerick and Clare, and the response to the concert sets the stage for more future partnerships and creative exchanges.

 

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