Mayo-born composer visits talented Ceol na Mara youth orchestra
THE Ceol na Mara youth orchestra were delighted when Mayo-born composer Patrick Cassidy visited their rehearsal and performance in UL recently on a short visit to Limerick from his home in Los Angeles.
The orchestra’s founder and director, violinist Oonagh Keogh, is Patrick’s cousin and her youth orchestra for string players have been working on four of Patrick’s compositions.
‘‘It was a great boost for the orchestra that Patrick came to meet them and hear them play,’’ said Oonagh.
“They played ‘The Proclamation’ and excerpts from his ‘Famine Suite’ and ‘The Children of Lir' and Patrick had an added interest in the orchestra as his eight-year-old niece Holly Cassidy has recently joined!”
Patrick Cassidy was born in Claremorris and is well known for his music for films such as Hannibal and Calvary and his oratorios.
Patrick listened to the orchestra's rehearsal and gave them a few last-minute tips on their interpretation before they gave a performance for family and friends.
Afterwards Patrick stayed to chat to the young musicians and their families.
He was extremely impressed with their standard and said: “It is great to see such fantastic young talent coming through from the mid-west region. They are incredibly lucky to have the Ceol na Mara orchestra as an outlet.”
The orchestra runs throughout the year in the Irish Chamber Orchestra’s studio in the University of Limerick. They play a wide range of repertoire and recently recorded an EP of original music written and arranged for them by Oonagh, which can be listened to on Spotify and other streaming platforms under ‘Ceol na Mara Chamber Orchestra’.
Ceol na Mara’s reach extends to Galway this summer when Oonagh runs her summer school - Ceol na Mara Summer School for Strings - in Kylemore Abbey, Connemara.
This will be happening from July 28 to 31. It is suitable for all ages from primary school age through to secondary, and adult string players.
It involves chamber music, orchestra and traditional Irish music. Coaching will be by Oonagh herself, the ConTempo string quartet and Odhrán Ó Casaide.
Further details and registration is at kendumusic.com.
There are a limited number of spaces left so register now if you would like to join the fun. There has been a great uptake from Mayo musicians in previous years.
Those interested in joining the orchestra in September can get in touch on Instagram (Ceol na Mara Music) or Facebook (Ceol na Mara chamber orchestra). It is bi-monthly and is runs on Sunday afternoons and is a wonderful sociable way to meet other young musicians from different parts of the country.