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M A R C H 2 0 1 1 I S S U E 5 6

Musical Nostalgia at the Festival of YouthOrchestras

AISLING RYAN, MUSIC CAPITAL SCHEME MANAGER AT

MUSIC NETWORK AND ONE-TIME LEADER OF THE

TIPPERARY MILLENNIUM ORCHESTRA REVISITS THE

FESTIVAL EIGHT YEARS ON . . .

I spent a chilly afternoon on Saturday last inthe warm surrounds of the Concert Hall, at the16th festival of youth orchestras. The event ispresented by the Irish Association of YouthOrchestras, and I was delighted to be invitedto the first half of the day in my capacity asMusic Capital Scheme Manager for MusicNetwork.

Two of the orchestras featured during the 3pmperformance were previous recipients of theMusic Capital Scheme - Sligo Academy of Musicand Coole Music Youth Orchestra. It was prettyamazing to witness first hand the far reachingeffects of the scheme in the hands of youngmusicians. The Sligo Academy of Musicpurchased a heap of new instruments withtheir award including bassoon, timpani andpercussion. How many youth orchestras do youknow that have a bassoon player, let alonetheir own bassoon?! The works they chose toperform in the NCH gave each performer aplatform to show off their abilities on the newinstruments. It was very clear why theyrequested funding for percussion as they havesome stellar young drummers in the orchestra.One in particular (I don’t know which of thenames listed!) was a steady rock behind thevery young orchestra in a rendition of ‘(I Can’tGet No) Satisfaction’. Brilliant!

The whole day was an intense exercise innostalgia for me. My first ever time in the

National Concert Hall was during a previousFestival of Youth Orchestras when I led theTipperary Millennium Orchestra in our first yeartogether. Very few experiences in my life atthat point compared to walking out onto thestage of the NCH with the whole orchestrathere waiting to get stuck into our chosenworks, and friends and family in the audience.I had a huge lump in my throat when MC SeánRocks introduced the leader of Fingal CountyYouth Orchestra – Aisling Lawson. I swear shewas a carbon copy of my young self on thestage! Her solos were sweet and lyrical andsang out through the overall orchestral sound.I was simultaneously delighted for herappearance on the stage of the NCH and proudof my young self for having been there onceupon a time.

After the performance I had a brief chat withSeán about the nature of the event and weboth recognised it’s importance for youngorchestral players and felt the crazy energy ofthe day with so many young people in the hall.We had a brief chat about the piece by RogerDoyle, commissioned by Greystones YouthOrchestra & Newpark School of Music StringOrchestra. The work required no sheet musicfor the young players to bury their heads inand as a result they were more connected withthe conductor than most youth orchestras.Doyle seemed to me to understand thenuances of working with very young musiciansand the piece explored their abilities to let gowith their instruments and explore the hugevariety of sounds they are able to create. Doyle

spoke with Seán Rocks after theperformance and mentioned that thetitle of the piece – Deep End – was atribute to the orchestra’s ability andwillingness to “give all to the work anddive right in”. It would be wonderful tosee more composerswriting for youthorchestras and providethem with an inherentunderstanding of thecompositional process andof the availability of newmusic in orchestral playingin Ireland.Maeve O’Hara performs a section from the percussion concerto, UFO,

by Michael Daugherty. Festival photos by Damien Eagers.

Conall Hayes and Gemma Lyons play the typewriter duringLiffey Valley Youth Orchestra’s performance.

Welcome to our spring issue of Newsnotes. We are again a littlelater than expected but getting back on track after our very lateDecember issue. As the days get longer and brighter, thereseems to be plenty of enthusiasm and optimism in youthorchestra circles and still plenty of activity going on despite theeconomic crisis that we find ourselves in. In fact, manyinstrumental teachers say that they have longer waiting lists nowthan in previous years. Let us hope that this is indicative of newpriorities in Ireland and that youth music and the arts may flourishin the coming years.

Our heartiest congratulations to all the orchestras that took partnot only in the IAYO Festival of Youth Orchestras, but also in theCoole Music Festival of Youth Orchestras and the brand newWexFest (Wexford Festival of Youth Orchestras). A review of theCoole Festival is on page 4 and there is also a review from oneof the players on our website at iayo.ie. We do hope to carry areview and some photos of the WexFest in the next issue.

While congratulations are being handed out, many of those mustgo to the Sligo Academy of Music on reaching their tenthanniversary with performances by two orchestras at the NationalConcert Hall. Also to Liffey Valley and Fingal County Orchestraswho both have important birthdays this year.

On IAYO activities, details of our conducting workshops have nowbeen released and can be found on iayo.ie. Due to the latenessof Easter and other factors, we have decided to hold our chambermusic workshops in the autumn this year. Details will follow in theMay issue.

Finally, a short apology. In our last issue, we mistakenly creditedthe Liffey Valley Orchestra with the Organisational AchievementAward for the project ‘Attract and Retain Members in theintroduction to ‘A Short Guide to Promoting your Youth Orchestra’.This should have credited the Fingal County Youth Orchestra,who won the award at the 2008 festival.

IAYO Conducting Workshops

Director: Robert Houlihan

Royal Irish Academy of Music

Monday 11 - Friday 15 July 2011

To take part, contact IAYO on021 421 5185 info@iayo.ieMore details at www.iayo.ie

Conducting workshops for youth orchestra conductors will be held at the Royal Irish Academy of Music to run alongside theirSummer Orchestra Academy. Participants will avail of tuition in baton technique and score preparation along with opportunitiesto observe sectional and full rehearsals with the RIAM summer orchestra academy, conducted by James Cavanagh.

The course fee is €300 for participants and €150 for observers. A number of discounts will be made available to youthorchestra conductors resident outside Dublin.Priority for participating places will be given to conductors actively engaged withyouth orchestras.The conducting workshops will be hosted and generously supported by the Royal Irish Academy of Music.

Teaching Position AvailableCoole Music are looking for violin teacherfrom September 2011 onwards. Ideally theywould like a teacher that can teach bothviolin and viola.

Please contact Coole Music for details and application atinfo@coole-music.com.

The Agnes O’Kane Award for volunteers was presentedfor the first time at the recent Festival of Youth Orchestras.The award will be presented annually in the future to avolunteer who has contributed to the growth of youthorchestras in Ireland. The award recognises the vitalcontribution that volunteers have had in the growth of youthorchestras over the last thirty years. The first recipients ofthe award will be Agnes’ own family, both recognising herwork and the support that her family gave to herself and toIAYO over the years. The award was presented to PhilipO’Kane for the entire O’Kane family, who have all hadinvolvement in the Irish Association of Youth Orchestrasover the years.

If you would like to nominate someone to receive the award,please write to the Director at the IAYO office outlining whyyou think that person is deserving of the award. A panel ofindependent judges will be appointed in the autumn andthey will enquire further if they feel the need to. The awardwill be presented during the next Festival of YouthOrchestras. Nominations for the award are now open andwill close shortly before the next Festival. We will be drawingup guidelines for the selection process over the next fewmonths and will make these available on the web site whencompleted.

Agnes’ husband, Philip O’Kane, prepared an obituary for theFestival programme that you can view on the IAYO web site.You can also listen to the contents of speeches by Philip andIAYO Chair, Vincent Hunt, on the work that Agnes did forIAYO and various other organisations on a voluntary basis.

Vincent Hunt, Chair of IAYO, presents the Agnes O’Kane Award to Philip O’Kaneat the Festival of Youth Orchestras.

Letter from the President of the European Orchestra Federation

Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Again many thanks for the kind invitation to attend the 16th Festival and thewarm welcome I have experienced. It was just great to experience theenthusiasm of the musicians from children's age to young adults and to betaken along the road of so many musical styles and genres. I warmlycongratulate all the teachers, conductors, organisers for a wonderful andsmoothly run event and also, and this is at least equally remarkable, for theprogress which is clearly perceptible in musical skills and performance. It is apleasure to see and hear the kids!

I am looking forward to the 17th edition and wish you all well.

Very truly and with warm regards

Daniel A. Kellerhals, President, European Orchestra Federation (EOFed).

Jenna Raggett of the ‘Simply Strings’ quartet from Kilkennywho provided pre-concert entertainment at the Festival ofYouth Orchestras. The quartet took part in the IAYO ChamberMusic Workshops in Kilkenny in 2009 and 2010 and are JennaRaggett (violin), Marie Therese Boland (violin), Anna Walsh(violin) and Elizabeth Boland (cello).

IAYO Youth Orchestra Achievement Awards

Congratulations to the winners of this years IAYO Youth Orchestra AchievementAwards.

Kylemore College Orchestra won the award for Development of the YouthOrchestra with their project ‘A Season of Artistic and Cultural Development’that saw the orchestra’s first international tour, their first performance ofcontemporary music (including workshops with the composer), the introductionof dancers, singers and poetry recitation to accompany the orchestra. andtaking part in a performance to raise awareness and funds as part of theChernobyl Children’s Appeal.

Carlow Youth Orchestra won the Special Achievement Award for theirCultural exchange in connection with the twinning of Carlow and Skofja Loka inSlovenia.

love:live musicMusic Network Presents National Music Day

Friday 08 April 2011love:live music 2011, Ireland’s National Music Day, takesplace on Friday 8th April and is coordinated by MusicNetwork in association with RTÉ lyric FM and supported bythe Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport. ‘This year’s love:live music is off to a great start with eventsalready registered across the country and more to be addedin the coming weeks!There is an eclectic mix of events; from an evening of pipingand drumming with the award winning Cullen Pipe Band; rapand rock at Finglas Youth Resource Centre; choral with LaoisCounty Council Choir whose debut performance was ahighlight of love:live music last year!This year’s event features large ensembles such as LaoisSchool of Music Orpheus Orchestra, to small groups likefour-piece Carameen in Kildare and solos including guitaristRedmond O’Toole in Navan.Unusual events already up on the site include an InstrumentMaking Workshop as a part of Limerick School of Music’sfestivities!To find out about events in your area, or to register your ownevent, visit www.lovelivemusic.ie or call 01 671 9429.For more information email info@lovelivemusic.ie

Youth Orchestra Concerts Coming up at theNational Concert Hall

RIAM Annual Gala Concert National Concert Hall

Tuesday 22 March 2011 8pm, National Concert Hall

James Cavanagh and Blánaid Murphy, conductors

Join some of Ireland's finest talents for music by Prokofiev andBeethoven in the magnificent surroundings of Dublin's National ConcertHall.

UCD Symphony Orchestra

Wednesday 6 April 2011

Programme to include Rimsky-Korsakov, Overture & Wedding Marchfrom Le Coq d’Or, Grieg Piano Concerto, Tchaikovsky Swan Lake(excerpts) and Stravinsky L’Oiseau de Feu (1919 Suite)

DIT Ensembles: All Together Now

Sunday 17th April 2011, National Concert Hall

All Together Now showcases the talented students of DIT Conservatory ofMusic and Drama in two gala concerts, featuring the full range of DITinstrumental ensembles in a programme of popular classics andcontemporary repertoire for film, stage and concert hall. The 3pm concertfeatures the DIT Junior Wind Band, DIT Concert Band, DIT WindEnsemble, DIT Big Band and DIT Irish Traditional Music Ensemble. The8pm concert features the DIT Preliminary Strings, DIT Junior Orchestra,DIT Intermediate Orchestra and DIT Symphony Orchestra.

RIAM Chamber Ensembles at NCH

This series of four concerts performed by RIAM's advanced students, takeplace on March 16th and 24th and 1st April at 6.00 pm in the Kevin BarryRoom, National Concert Hall. The programmes represent a variety ofchallenging and appealing works for small ensemble. Featured piecesinclude: Beethoven ‘Ghost Trio’, Schumann Dichterliebe and Ravel StringQuartet.

Tickets for all performances from the National COncert Hall box office on01 417 0000 or online at www.nch.ie.

Coole Music Orchestra FestivalThe 4th Annual Coole Music Orchestra Festival took place onSunday 6th March at the Lady Gregory Hotel in Gort, CountyGalway. This year, the title was changed from Junior OrchestraFestival as intermediate and senior orchestras now took part as well- many of the players having graduated following their performancesat previous festivals. In all, ten ensembles took part during twoconcerts including the Coole Music Junior and Youth Orchestras,Athenry Music School Junior and Senior Orchestras, Galway Juniorand Intermediate Orchestras, Clare Music Makers IntermediateStrings and the Laois School of Music Orpheus Orchestra. Inaddition, there were two traditional ensembles this year, the KinvaraYoung Musicians and the East Clare Young Musicians. In all, overthree hundred young musicians took part in the festival and in thecollaborative performances that, as always, finished each of theperformances. There were several performances of new works onthe day - the collaborative performances were both premieres ofworks written just for the festival by the Artistic Director, KatharinaBaker. The junior orchestras performed Sky Lantern in the afternoon

and the more senior playersperformed For Good at theend of the eveningperformance. Much of themusic for the juniororchestras had been writtenor arranges specially for theorchestras including TheTerrible Twos and The Ageof Reason by KatherineMannion and The FianiaSuite by Katharina Bakerwith other new works alsobeing taken on by the olderorchestras in the evening.

All in all, this festival is goingfrom strength to strength and is a great showcase for the amount

and quality of youth orchestra activityhappening in the west of Ireland at present.Next year’s festival will be on the 4thMarch, again in Gort, County Galway. Putthe date in your diary.

Allin Gray, IAYO

What is Music Generation? Music Generation is Ireland’s National Music EducationProgramme, funded by U2 and The Ireland Funds. It aims to helpchildren and young people to access performance music education(vocal and instrumental) in their own locality.

What does it offer?

Music Generation offers funding and support to establish localMusic Education Partnerships (MEPs) throughout Ireland.

Who can apply?

Only MEPs which include at least one statutory agency as a LeadPartner may apply.

What is a Music Education Partnership?

A Music Education Partnership (MEP) is a local or regional groupestablished to develop and improve the infrastructure for musiceducation at local level. It is made up of expert and interest groupsand must include at least one statutory agency such as a VEC or aLocal Authority. The MEP works to plan for a music educationservice in its own locality, establish networks and an efficientadministrative structure, identify funding and other types of supportand manage its development of the service. For more informationabout MEPs, visit www.musicgeneration.ie.

How much funding is available?

50% funding from Music Generation up to a maximum of €200,000per year over three years. Matched funding, generated locally fromMEP resources, may be a combination of monetary income and/orsupport-in-kind.

What will Music Generation fund?

• Contribution to vocal and instrumental tuition costs

• Establishment of instrument banks and musical equipment(such as audio or music technology equipment)

• Music libraries

• Contribution to encourage the professional development ofmusic education practice

• Contribution to administration/co-ordination costs

What will Music Generation not fund?

Other general costs directly related to the running of the serviceincluding buildings, productions, marketing, exchanges,examinations etc. However, these costs may be included as locallygenerated matched funding.

What can be used as locally generated matched funding?

• Monetary income from any source

• Support-in-kind which can include staff time, buildings andadministration costs. Support-in-kind costs claimed as locallygenerated matched funding is capped at a maximum of 20%of the matched funding.

What is not eligible forfunding?

To ensure that funding directlyimpacts on the teaching ofchildren and young peopleand allows new services to beestablished across thecountry, the following areineligible:

• Existing vocal andinstrumental tuition

• Any form of musiceducation other than vocalor instrumental tuition

• Curriculum support

• Existing tuition provided by core staff in mainstreamschools

How will MEPs be supported after Music Generation’s three-year funding?

Music Generation will provide three-year seed funding to establishlocal services, which will be sustained by MEPs on a long-termbasis. It is the intention of the Department of Education and Skillsthat MEPs will be continued into the future with Exchequer fundingwhen the Music Generation donations cease.

What is the qualifying age range?

Music Generation is for children and young people up to 18 years.

What genres of music can be included in Music Generation?

All genres of music including but not limited to blues, bluegrass,contemporary, classical, country, electronic, folk, fusion, gospel, hiphop, jazz, marching, military, music theatre, opera, pop, rap, rock,R&B, reggae, religious, soul, traditional, world etc. This list is notexhaustive.

What type of tuition can be included?

Individual, group and ensemble tuition in all instruments and voice.

To find out more and get involved:?

www.musicgeneration.ie

"We had been looking for sometime for a way to get involved inan initiative in music educationin Ireland. After talking tovarious people in Ireland aboutwhat to do, we came to theconclusion that the MusicNetwork scheme is really wellthought out and that we, inpartnership with the IrelandFunds, should just get behindit."

The Edge

A Short Guide to Promoting Your Youth Orchestra - Part II

Press ReleasesSending out press releases is a good way of gettingattention from newspapers, radio and television and canbe done relatively freely without worry of having editorsfeel that they are being pestered. They are generallyrelatively short - all contained within a single page of A4and are aimed at generating further interest from themedia, their contents being used to generate shortarticles in the side columns of newspapers, or beingincluded in listings. Often the press release will be theinitial step in getting an interview, article or photographsprinted in the press.

Writing the release

The following template issomething that is good to followand, certainly, to take notice ofwhen writing press releases.However, creativity of approachmay also land you better coverageso don’t feel confined to a formula.

Preliminary: You should put thetext FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE at thetop of your text. You can also writeIMAGES AVAILABLE if you have high-quality photographs to accompanyan article.

After this comes your heading ortitle. This should be clear anddescriptive and it is best if it isrelatively short - something thatyou can imagine reading in anewspaper yourself. It can be thename of the event or a summary ofwhat is to follow - 16th FESTIVAL OFYOUTH ORCHESTRAS AT NATIONAL CONCERT HALL, DUBLIN.

Next comes brief details of the event or story - get theimportant details across in one or two sentences. Youmight consider including date, time and venue in thissection so that it can be extracted for listings or used asa ‘filler’ in a side column. If not, then you can put theevent details either preceding or following this paragraphas follows.

Saturday 12th February 2011 at 3pm

National Concert Hall

Tickets €15, available from . . .

A more detailed description of the event can follow in thenext paragraph or two, although keeping in mind thatthe full release should ideally be an A4 page or less.

Including a quotation is generally a good idea - it allowsthe newspaper to create a short article with a personaltouch rather than just presenting information.

Some general background on your youth orchestramight also be included, as can some information onconductors, composers or other notable people involvedwith an event. Do remember to acknowledge anyfunders or sponsors.

At the end of the release, have the text ENDS on aseparate line.

It is most important that you include contact information

on the release and that phones and email addresseslisted are monitored and answered. A press or mediaeditor or researcher may only make contact once andmove on if they don’t receive a quick response.

For further Press Information contact:

Name and Phone Number

Email Address

Circulating the release

It is easiest to circulate releases by email althoughsometimes paper can work better as it is not (quite) soeasily disposed of. Make the subject of your email with

the title / heading of the articlepreceded by the word release -Release: 16th FESTIVAL OF YOUTHORCHESTRAS AT NATIONAL CONCERTHALL, DUBLIN. Keep the formatting ofthe email simple, either plain text orformat headings in a slightly largerfont size and in bold. Also attach thecontents of the release in a Worddocument. Again, keep it simple andjust duplicate what is in the email.

Consider how you batch the emailsthat you send. If you send an emailfrom a brand new account to fifty orsixty addresses, the chances are thatyour email may not even make it outof your own inbox as your emailproviders’ security software may markit as having a high probability of beingspam and not send it. Also be awarethat sending the email to yourself andadding lots of addresses in the bccfield may have the same effect.Those things being said, if you have

an email account that is trusted, there is no great harmin sending a press release to lots of recipients at thesame time. Most press email addresses are well knownto those in the business. Perhaps send separate emailsto online publications if you are sending releases tothose also.

An alternative, albeit untried by us here at IAYO, is thatyou could send your press releases as email onlythrough an email marketing service like Mailchimp,without the attached Word document. This would makemanagement of your email list more straightforward andallow you to send to different groups on your list if, forexample, you have press releases that are only ofinterest to local publications or purely to catch theattention of television producers.

Timing is also a consideration. For most publications, youshould be aiming to send a release two-to-three weeksbefore the print deadline, although for some you mightthen want to submit a second time closer to thepublication date. This means that for monthlies, you willneed to be six to seven weeks ahead but closer in fordailies.

As said previously, press releases can be circulated fairlyfreely and will often pick up interest from editors andresearchers that you have not had direct personalcontact with before. However, it can help to ring aheadand say that the press release will be arriving and tofollow up afterwards.

Building ContactsUndoubtedly, having ‘contacts’ in the media is a great advantagewhen engaging in public relations. Having a list is not rocketscience, but it can take a long time to build up good workingrelationships with people in the media. Starting local is a goodidea. Begin a list with local and county newspapers, radiostations and listings sheets. Also try to find out if there are websites dedicated to things happening in your area. From there, tryregional and national news, radio and television that might havean interest in what your orchestra is up to. Programmes likeKazoo on RTÉ often carry news on youth arts and there havebeen previous articles on youth orchestras on Nationwide,Newstalk 106, RTÉ lyric fm, Morning Ireland, RTÉ Six One newsand many more national platforms. If you are preparing pressreleases, it is easy and worthwhile to put them in the mailout.Remember also that lots of people get their news over theinternet these days and include in your mailing lists listingswebsites and others that might be interested to carry your news.

Wikipedia is a good source of information on media inIreland. Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/ and search for‘Newspapers in Ireland’, ‘Radio in Ireland’ and ‘List ofTelevision Channels in Ireland’. Also try Media Live atwww.medialive2.com and Media Eye athttp://mediaeye.ie.

And Not to Forget the otherthings that you can do to promote yourorchestra. Posters and flyers are good notonly for promoting concerts, but also forrecruiting new players. Distribute them toschools of music and schools where youthink there might be suitable players. In-person visits to schools with a shortperformance by some players can also bringmore interested players along. Radio phone-ins are a great way to get word around also- ‘Best of luck to Tom and Sally in the youthorchestra, who are performing at the concerthall tonight’ - you might even manage to getMartin King to announce your concert on theTV3 weather.

Anything that you can do to promote youryouth orchestra at local, regional andnational level can have a potential pay-off inthe future; in terms of gaining players,volunteers, audience members, funding andsponsorship. It’s also just good to know thatother people are seeing and hearing aboutthe good work that is going on with youngpeople and music.

Every Picture Tells a StorySometimes the story is about children eating their violins andsometimes it’s about young players lining up back-stage at theNational Concert Hall just before their performance at the Festivalof Youth Orchestras. Newspapers, magazines and websites arealways looking for good pictures to make their publications lookgood and to fill up those awkward spaces that might appear whena commissioned story is longer or shorter than expected or hasmissed the submission deadline. Just as with getting articlespublished, you are always at the mercy of space considerationsand other ‘important’ news.

Ways to get your orchestra’s photos in print andonline media.1. Take your own: Are you or one of your volunteers / parents agood amateur or even professional photographer? If so you cantry to submit your own photographs to local, regional and nationalpress. It is always important that someone at a publication isexpecting your photograph. National and some regionalnewspapers have a dedicated photodesk that screens allincoming photos for content and usability. In local newspapers, itwill often be the editor or news editor that will receive and checkphotos. Do make sure that whoever is responsible for choosingphotographs is expecting yours and has said that they will look atthem. Photographs will need to be interesting, well lit and clear ifthey are to be used for publication. Jpeg is the only format that isacceptable to most picture editors. Photographs will also need tohave a caption embedded - usually something that describeswhat is happening in the photograph. Just browse photos in any

newspaper to see what sort of text is usual. This information canbe entered in File Info in Photoshop or for far cheaper in ImageProperties in the GIMP photo editor (available for free fromwww.gimp.org).

2. Hire a photographer: This can be anything form not-so-dearto very expensive, depending on the photographer you hire.Paying a lot for a professional photographer is no guarantee ofhaving suitable shots or that they will be published. However,there are photographers that specialise in freelance photographyfor the press and some of these have impressive records ingetting their pictures into local and national newspapers. If youare hiring a photographer for a launch or event with a view togetting publicity in the press, do try and use someone that has atrack record.

3. Get the press to come to you: You can put out an eventnotice in advance to editors / picture desks describing what yourevent is, who will be there and details of what photo opportunitiesmight be available. Again, this is a matter of contacting the rightperson in advance. And again, national and some regionalnewspapers will have people dedicated to screeningopportunities for getting good photographs.

NB

And in all of the above, treat your editor or picture desk withrespect and they will become allies in promoting the good workof your youth orchestra. Send them lots of information that theyfeel is not relevant to them and your good work will end up in theiremail bin.

Photographs below are courtesy of Marc O’Sullivan.

Summer Music in Galway - ‘Accessibility & Excellence’Described in the August 19th, 2010 issue of the Irish Times as‘One of Ireland’s most innovative summer music schools’, theconcept of Summer Music on the Shannon (SMS) - in aremarkable coincidence - was first introduced to a meeting ofmusician / teachers held in the same location and in the samemonth and year as the founding meeting of IAYO - in Maoin Cheoilan Chláir, Ennis, County Clare, in April, 1994. The goal of bothorganisations was essentially the same, i.e. to enhance trainingand performance opportunities for classical music instrumentaliststudents in Ireland. Although the objectives were necessarilydifferent, they were for the most part -complementary. The SMSmodel was based on enormously successful summer musicschools and festivals in North America, such as Aspen andInterlochen, which are designed to provide access to internationalstandards of instruction and performance for as wide a range ofmusicians and music students as possible and with very fewbarriers to admission based on age, level of ability or financialdisadvantage. SMS also provides accommodation for familieswho welcome the opportunity to combine a vacation in Ireland anda wonderful musical experience for their children.

After the addition of Youth Opera Theatre in 2002, the SMS‘summer community of musicians’ has ranged from children asyoung as seven years of age up to pre-professional students andprofessional musician / teachers from world-class orchestras,including the BBC Symphony Orchestra, England, VancouverSymphony Orchestra, Canada, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra,Norway, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, USA, RTÉ NationalSymphony Orchestra, Ireland, Calgary Symphony Orchestra,Canada, London Symphony Orchestra, England, TafelmusikBaroque Orchestra, Canada, Paris Opera Orchestra, France,London Philharmonic Orchestra, England, Montreal SymphonyOrchestra, Canada, and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra,USA.

In 2010, SMS moved fromLimerick to Galway (SMG)and this coming summerwill move to its newpermanent home in thebeautifully restored ClainMhuire campus of theGalway Mayo Institute ofTechnology (GMIT) for thetwo-week instrumentalprogramme, August 1st - 14th. The daily schedule of individuallessons, classes, rehearsals and optional activities will againinclude the preparation of students for orchestral concerts duringwhich all of the students and professionals will perform togetherin works from the major symphonic repertoire. Classes for theYouth Opera Theatre programme, July 25th - August 14th, willtake place in Ennis, County Clare and student transportation willbe arranged between Limerick, Ennis and Galway. This year’sopera production will be The Tailor’s Daughter by Belfastcomposer Brian Irvine. The opera received marvellous reviewsfollowing the Cardiff premiere in 2005 and was subsequentlyawarded the British Composer’s Award from the British Academyof Composer’s and Songwriters. In 2003, Brian was the first Irishcomposer ever to receive the BBC Radio Jazz Award for BestNew Work.

The 2011 Festival concert schedule will include 6 orchestral andchamber music concerts and one opera performance in Galwayplus four orchestral and chamber music concerts plus two operaperformances in Clare and Limerick.

Detailed SMS 2011 information, with application forms, isavailable on the Web - www.summermusicingalway.comAlternatively brochures will be posted from the mailing address:Summer Music in Galway, Edgewater, Seafield Road, Quilty,County Clare or calling +353 (0)65 708 7566

More news and more detail at www.iayo.ie/newsnotes

Smart Fundraising: Succeeding in the new realityThe 3rd National Fundraising Conference in Ireland

Main conference day 30th March 2011

Masterclasses on the eve of the conference, Tuesday, 29thMarch 2011

The Convention Centre Dublin (North Wall Quay)

Fundraising Ireland is delighted to present Ireland’s flagshipNational Fundraising Conference. This unique conferencehas been designed for fundraisers, by fundraisers whounderstand the challenges facing people working in this areatoday.

Their insight will be of benefit to you regardless of whetheryou work in the charity, arts, culture, education or sports

fields and will apply to you if you work in anorganisation staffed by three volunteers, orone that has a full time staff of 300.

Non-Member Rate: €220

Find out more at www.fundraisingireland.ie

14-21 August 2011

DirectorRonan O’Reilly

Soloist Kenneth Edge, Saxophone

Application Formsonline at www.iywe.ie

Further informatione: info@iywe.iet: 021 421 5185

Application closing date: Friday 25March 2011.

Applicants must be aged between16 and 25 and must have aminimum of Grade 6 standard.Iris

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Send your news, photos and information toinfo@iayo.ie

Volunteers Wanted for Ballyfermot Music Project

St Michael’s Primary School, Kylemore Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin10, are seeking volunteers to assist with the school groupinstrumental teaching and orchestral programme. The pupils in St.Michael’s are benefiting enormously from the music lessons andtheir self-esteem has been enhanced. The children are so proudof what they are achieving. The school enables all pupils to havean opportunity to learn how to play.

Volunteers are asked to assist the instrumental teacher andconductor by tuning instruments, fixing broken strings andassisting the music teacher to give the best possible lessons tothe students. An ability to tune stringed instruments and also tocarry out basic maintenance such as string changing is necessaryfor the post. This support will enable better participation andorganisation at lessons and rehearsals. The ability to teach astring instrument will be a bonus for us all.

Instrumental lessons take place on Wednesdays during term-timefrom 8.50am – 3.30pm to include orchestra sessions. Orchestrasessions take place outside of school hours on Wednesdays from2.30pm – 3.30pm. On Thursday lessons are from 8.30am – 12noon.

For further details and an application form, please contact:Margaret Condon, St. Michael’s School, Kylemore Road,Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, Tel: 01-6202491, Mobile: 086-8392518 ore-mail: stmichaelns.ias@eircom.net .

Please note it is standard practice that all voluntary staff will bescreened / Garda vetted / interviewed before taking up a positionwith St Michael’s Primary School.

Margaret Condon, Principal

This year’s annual DYO Chamber Music Day took place on Sunday,13th February in Sancta Maria College, Ballyroan, Dublin 16. Firstorganised in 1983, Chamber Music Day has always been a popularevent with DYO members and non-members alike. This year 71players between the ages of 7 and 16 years took part; players camenot only from Dublin, but from Tipperary, Waterford, Kilkenny andWexford as well.

The day began with reception and registration, with players thendivided into pre-arranged groups and introduced to their tutors.Music-making began in earnest at 10am and continued until the firstbreak at 11.30.

There were 16 tutors working with string quartets and quintets, cellogroups, wind, brass and percussion groups. Each tutor wasassigned to work exclusively with one chamber group for the entireday.

We were very fortunate to have Mia Cooper, leader of the RTÉConcert Orchestra, as one of our tutors.

After a half-hour break at 11.30 for snacks and a bit of fresh air theplayers resumed working from noon until 1pm. Lunch consisted ofan hour of free time in which players could enjoy their packedlunches, along with more fresh air and general socialising.

The final session from 2pm to 3pm was followed by a short concertfor family and friends which showcased the day’s achievements.

Dublin Youth Orchestras also runs a Junior and Senior ResidentialChamber Music Course during late June and early July in AravonSchool, Bray, County Wicklow. This annual course is an ideal follow-on from Chamber Day for committed chamber music enthusiasts,but it is equally a week of fun activities to rival any other traditionalsummer camp. No previous chamber music experience is requiredto enroll at Aravon.

The Aravon courses for Summer 2011 will cater for stringensembles as well as wind and percussion players; this year’sSenior Course will also feature tuition from the Dublin GuitarQuartet.

The Benefits of Playing Chamber Music for OrchestralDevelopment

Taking part in ensemble playing, such as that which is offered atDYO Chamber Day, can be a very valuable addition to a musician’straining. The skills developed at Chamber Day, such as sightreading, solo and ensemble playing and extra emphasis on tuningand timekeeping all help to enhance a player’s overall musicaldevelopment.

Playing in a small group such as a quartet can be a bit daunting at

first: with no one to 'hide behind' every player in the group must holdtheir own line and it is up to each player to count, keep time, andplay in tune.

During chamber days, a tutor working with one group of studentscan focus on their individual needs, gradually coaxing the best fromeach player as they contribute to the ensemble. Tutors also havethe opportunity to emphasise the finer points of playing, such asposture and presentation.

Developing these areas not only enhances musical skills, but alsoself reliance and confidence which is enormously important inorchestral playing, and in all areas of music performance.

As the many smiling faces at the 2011 Chamber Day will attest, it’snot just good for you, but it’s great fun as well.

Dublin Youth Orchestras Annual Chamber Music Day

2011 has been designated the European Year ofvolunteering both to celebrate the work ofvolunteers across Europe,and to encouragethose who do not currently volunteer, to getinvolved so they too can make a difference.Findout more at www.eyv2011.ie

A Sound Ear?Following a recent enquiry froma member orchestra, we bringyou news of an advice book onorchestral music and risks tohearing. A Sound Ear II is apublication by the Association ofBritish Orchestras that providesadvice on music and hearing.While pitched towardsprofessional orchestras andBritish legislation, it is of interestand of use to youth orchestras inIreland. Google ‘A Sound Ear’ for the link or download thepdf from www.abo.org.uk/Information/Publications/.

Cairde at XeniaMAIREAD HICKEY, VIOLIN, WRITES ON HER EXPERIENCE AT THE XENIA CHAMBER MUSICCOURSE IN FENESTRELLE, NEAR TURIN IN ITALY.

All four members of our quartet went together to the 13th International ChamberMusic Course for Young String Players in Italy this year. The course is organisedby the Xenia Ensemble Association (Italy) in collaboration with ConCorda(Ireland). It takes place at the Pra Catinat Centre, surrounded by the beautifulmountains of the Orsiera Rocciavrè Park, near Sestrière, Turin. We travelledto Italy together from Ireland at the end of July 2010 for 10 days.

Pra Catinat is an incredible location. From our bedroom balcony, we had aspectacular view of the mountain park surrounding us. The constant sunshinewas brilliant!

Every member of the course played in three different chamber musicensembles. This gave everyone a chance to study with inspirational teachersfrom all over the world. We learned so much from them – different techniquesand a better understanding of ensemble playing - and we had so much fun withthe other participants on the course. We had a masterclass for our quartetwith Rohan de Saram, who is a well known chamber musician, particularly incontemporary music. We played open air concerts in the nearest town,Fenestrelle and in the forest in the mountains. There were mime workshopsand a nations’ night where students from each country produced a comedyshow.

We played music by Schubert, Mendelssohn, Haydn, Vivaldi and others andmade friends with musicians from different countries.

The course was really enjoyable and we can’t wait to apply to take part againnext year.

The Cairde Quartet is a groupof 15 year old musicians whohave been playing togetherfor nearly five years at CITCork School of Music wherethey meet weekly forchamber music tuition withAdrian Petcu. They areMairéad Hickey (violin I),Caoilfhionn Ní Choileáin(violin II), Martha Campbell(viola) and William Lehane(cello).

The quartet already have animpressive performancehistory and have performed atthe opening of the new CITCork School of Musicbuilding, for President MaryMcAleese at Áras anUachtaráin, alongside theRTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet in apublic concert for the Vanbrugh Quartet Scholarship Fund and anafternoon concert as part of the prestigious West Cork InternationalChamber Music Festival in 2009. More recently they haveperformed as part of the Culture Night celebrations in 2010, at the‘Encountering the Arts’ symposium organised by the Arts Council atthe Irish Museum of Modern Art and a concert in Aldeburgh Church,Suffolk in the UK (see the review on this page).

This performance history is in addition to taking part in manycompetitions and the quartet to-date have won the under 15Chamber Music Competitions at Feis Maitiú in 2007, 2008 and2009, were awarded the Director’s Prize for outstandingachievement at the Cork School of Music, and in 2010 won theunder 18 Chamber Music Competition at Feis Maitiú and wererunners-up in the Feis Ceoil Junior Chamber Music Competition.

In the last two years they have had master class tuition from theBelcea Quartet and from Hugh Maguire in Aldeburgh, UK. In 2007,

they attended a residentialsummer course with theConTempo Quartet at KylemoreAbbey in County Mayo and in2009 they took part in the LondonString Quartet Foundationweekend course at Chetham’sSchool in Manchester. Theyparticipated in the XeniaInternational chamber musiccourse, Turin, Italy in 2010 andthey plan to take part in thatcourse again in 2011.

THE CAIRDE QUARTET’S NEXT PERFORMANCE WILL BE A LUNCHTIMECONCERT AT CIT CORK SCHOOL OF MUSIC ON SATURDAY 8TH APRIL 2011AS PART OF NATIONAL MUSIC DAY.

Profile: The Cairde Quartet [...] Those who braved thefoul weather and a coldAldeburgh Parish Churchon Saturday evening wererewarded with a fine recitalby the young CairdeQuartet. Haydn’s Quartet inG, Op. 54 No.1 and the thirdof Beethoven’s Op 18quartets in C minor flankedWebern’s early post-romantic Langsamer Satz.

Their playing throughoutwas very fine. The Haydnand the Beethoven wereattacked with confidenceand performed with greataccuracy and real panache,and in the Webern their richwarm sound andimaginative playing beliedtheir years .

And this is what makes theirplaying so remarkable, for,although they have beenplaying together for nearlyfour years, their ages noware still only between 14and 15. An astonishingachievement, and to seethese young peopleobviously enjoyingperforming at this high leveltruly uplifted one’s spirits.

Frank Cliff, Evening Star, Ipswich

Above: photographs from Culture Night 2010 by Cian Daly.

The Irish Association of Youth Orchestras is the all-Ireland resource organisation for youth orchestras.

IAYO is grant-aided by The Arts Council and supported by Cork City Council.

DOUBLE BASS EXPO IRELAND2011Saturday 9th April9:30am - 4:00pmThe Double Bass Workshop invites you to DoubleBass Expo Ireland 2011. The Exhibition ofInstruments and Masterclass will take place in theDIT Conservatory of Music & Drama, 163-7Rathmines Road, Dublin 6 on Saturday the 9th ofApril and will feature:

• A performance and masterclass by virtuosodouble bassist Professor Michael Wolf, whoteaches in the Berlin University of the Artsand in the Irish World Academy of Music andDance, University of Limerick.

• An exhibition of two newly hand-madedouble basses by award winning Americandouble bass makers.

• A selection of beginner, student andprofessional double basses from The DoubleBass Workshop.

• A free double bass inspection by TomBarrett, of The Double Bass Workshop, forall who bring an instrument.

Double Bass Masterclasswith Michael Wolf

Applications are invited fora double bass Masterclasswith Michael Wolf. Themasterclass will take placein the DIT Conservatory ofMusic & Drama inRathmines on Saturday the9th of April and is open toDouble Bass students studying at an advanced level (equivalentgrade 7 and above). There will be a limited amount of spacesavailable for participants, with an unlimited number of placesfor observers. Participant places are available on the basis ofapplication, please contact doublebassexpo@gmail.com formore details. (Participant: €30 / Observer: €5)

Timetable (tbc)

09:30 Masterclasses

12:30 Lunch

13:30 Masterclasses

15:15 Performance by Michael Wolf

Double Bass Exhibition

There will be two new double basses being showcased: a newbass by three-time silver medal winning bass maker SethKimmel and a new bass from the Cincinnati Bass Cellar, a teamof three builders with over six decades of collective experienceand countless awards. The makers will be attending on the dayto show the instruments.

Also on display will be a selection of beginner and studentmodel double basses currently stocked by Tom Barrett of TheDouble Bass Workshop, Galway. Every one of the doublebasses from The Double Bass Workshop comes with the samefine tuned attention to playability, and quality of sound, from thetop professional instrument to the beginner and fractionalstudent models.

As an added bonus, if you bring a double bass on the day, youwill be offered a free inspection by Tom Barrett, Ireland’sresident double bass specialist. This is an opportunity forindividual players and youth orchestras to have theirinstruments checked for structural and playability issues, bothof which can be severely restrictive to the player.

Double Bass Expo Ireland 2011 is generouslysupported by the Irish World Academy of Music, theIrish Association of Youth Orchestras, and DITConservatory of Music & Drama. We are pleased to beable to offer places at a very reasonable rate. Traveland accommodation expenses are at participants ownexpense. Tickets for observers can be bought at thedoor on the day. The Double Bass Exhibition issubsidised by The Double Bass Workshop and is free ofcharge.