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Aidan O’Carroll conducting the Kerry School Of Music Senior Orchestra.
CREATIVE Ireland Kerry, in collaboration with Kerry Music Education Partnership, is now rolling out one of the first Creative Ireland Kerry initiatives — access for young people ages 6-18yrs to choir and youth choral music.
Creative Ireland Kerry is co-ordinated by Kerry County Council’s Arts Office. At a public meeting on Creative Ireland Kerry on March 14, there was unanimous consensus to focus on youth arts and creative engagement for young people.
The need for increased access to Youth Choral Projects was indentified through research carried out by Kerry Music Education Partnership (KMEP).
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Supported by Creative Ireland Kerry and the Arts Council, 2017 sees the development of youth choral projects guided by professional artists in the four Municipal towns of Cahersiveen, Killarney, Tralee and Listowel. Choral workshops for young people will commence in July and run for a number of months to December this year.
In Tralee Aidan O’Carroll, Director at the Kerry School of Music has organised a taster session at the school on High Street on Culture Night September 22 at 6.00pm. He is calling for young people who have never set foot in the school to come on down and give it a go.
“We want young people of all ages to give singing a go, boys and girls. Singing is a great mood lifter and the louder the better!” stated Aidan. Contact Aidan on 0874103220 or email aidanocarroll6850@gmail.com
Music examiner, teacher, conductor and performer Anna Connolly will lead a North Kerry group in Listowel.
Anna has worked with the Cor Na nÓg Choir for RTE and is a Local Centre Examiner for the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
The listowel group will be further supported by Joe Murphy, Director at St. John’s Theatre and Arts Centre who has offered a performance environment for the choral project. Anyone from the North Kerry area interested in getting involved can contact Anna Connelly directly at annaconnolly_2000@yahoo.com or call 087 2071412
In South Kerry, world class baritone Gavan Ring is extending his choral work beyond Cahirciveen and welcoming 6-18 year olds from across the Iveragh Peninsula.
“Youth Choral is an ideal catalyst for community-creative potential & South Kerry is famed for its musical tradition. I want to channel that natural energy into something really special”, Gavan stated. Anyone wanting to get involved should contact Gavan at: Gavan Ring Tel: 0851477164 or email iveraghmusic@gmail.com
Gemma Sugrue is a professional vocalist and vocal coach and the conductor with the Sing Out Loud initiative, staged this year in the INEC.
She will be developing a choral group that will meet weekly in Killarney. “The aim is that our young people will grow in confidence as singers, musicians and performers through the process”, Gemma stated. Sessions take place every Wednesday at Holy Cross Mercy Killarney Tel: 0864137930 or email gemmasugrue@gmail.com
“These projects are offered for free and young people across Kerry are encouraged to participate,” stated Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr. John Sheahan. “We are delighted to see Creative Ireland Kerry reaching into communities”.
