What’s happening? (has happened, will happen :-)

Here’s an update on recent DMEP happenings, and events at various stages of planning (starts with date posted) –

WHAT’S DONE IS DONE

POSTED Weds 11th April, 2018, covering from beginning of February –

  1. ‘THIS IS REAL’ AT SUGAR CLUB

Thurs 1st Feb – The Robinson Panoramic Quartet gave the second performance of ‘This is Real’ at a major contemporary music night at the Sugar Club in Dublin on Thursday 1st February. Donegal Chamber Orchestra’s part was recorded in Letterkenny and played. Piece commissioned by DMEP with the help of the Arts Council. Also on the bill – Katherine Hunka, leader of ICO, Conor Guilfoyle, one of biggest names in Irish jazz. In highly-regarded Kaleidoscope series of concerts. Journal of Music reviewed the night.

 

  1. DYO AT NCH

Sun 10th Feb – The Donegal Youth Orchestra gave a superb performance at the National Concert Hall in Dublin on Sunday 10th February. More than 70 performers were onstage under the direction of conductor Vincent Kennedy. The DYO were honoured to be chosen to close the evening concert of the Irish Festival of Youth Orchestras. Irish Association of Youth Orchestras organized.

 

  1. YOUNG DONEGAL TRAD MUSICIANS IN CARLOW

Tues 13th Feb – Fri 16th  – The Donegal Music Education Partnership organised a trip for ten young traditional musicians to a four-day ‘trad camp’ in Carlow, called Music @ Mount Leinster. They were tutored by James Mahon, from the renowned group Kila. They gave a first-class performance at the closing concert. The ten were from trad music schools based in Culdaff, Moville, Letterkenny and Gortahork. Music Generation Carlow organized.

  1. CLASSICAL MEETS TRAD

Sunday 11th March – Conwal Church, Letterkenny. Excellent performances from the Donegal Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Victor Yélamo; young trad group Coirm, from Letterkenny trad school Ceol Na Coille; and accordion/mouth organ virtuoso Tom Byrne from Buncrana. Victor Yélamo (DCO) and Paul Harrigan (Ceol na Coille trad music school, Letterkenny) organising.

 

  1. ERRIGAL SINGERS – CHARITY NIGHT

Fri 16th March – Errigal Singers at charity event – the DMEP’s adult choir, the Errigal Singers, helped raise money for the Crumlin Children’s Hospital at an event in Café Davitt, Letterkenny. Letterkenny musician John Kinsella organised.

 

  1. ‘A YEAR IN DONEGAL’

Sunday 18th March – This proved to be one of the musical events of the year in front of a big crowd at An Grianán theatre in Letterkenny. It was organised by the conductor of the Donegal Youth Orchestra, Vincent Kennedy, to celebrate his time with the orchestra. Special guests included Little John Nee and Arranmore Pipe Band, who joined the orchestra for the finale.

Below – Pictured at ‘A Year in Donegal’ in front of a big audience at An Grianan (and standing in front of the busy Donegal Youth Orchestra, with leader Jennifer Kilcoyne at right) are Dr Martin Gormley, director of schools, Donegal Education and Training Board; Mary Armitage, great friend of the DYO; Donegal ETB chief executive Anne McHugh; and DYO conductor and main man on the day, Vincent Kennedy

  1. OPTUM SCHOLARSHIP LAUNCH

Tues 20th March – Optum Scholarship launch – Errigal Saxtet, a DMEP group of young sax players conducted by Sean McCarron, played at the Optum Scholarship launch at Glenveagh Castle. Well-known Co. Derry musician (and more) Nodlaig Brolly organised on behalf of Optum.

  1. MUSICIANS’ DAY

Thurs 20th March – Friday 21st  – Martin McGinley, DMEP music manager, and tutor Sean Lee attended Musicians’ Day in St Pat’s Drumcondra on Fri 21st.. MMG took part in facilitator training on the Thursday afternoon. Sean Lee attended. Composer Bill Whelan among speakers. Music Generation organised.

 

  1. SOUNDWAVES MONTHLY

Sun 25th March Soundwaves Monthly, Letterkenny RCC – twenty young Donegal musicians from different genres (including classical, jazz and trad) made music in the RCC Letterkenny for a day with Wall2Wall Music, Derry. End of the day videos here. And here. The success of the Soundwaves programme since 2015 has drawn national attention. DMEP/Wall2Wall organising.

 

10. DYC IN LOURDES

Sun 25th March – Thurs 29th March  – Donegal Youth Choir were in Lourdes on JWT trip. Sara and Evan, Deirdre Grant, with them, plus party of adults. Around 36 choir members made the trip. Deirdre Grant said they did themselves, the county and the country proud with their performances 🙂 JWT/DYC organizing.

Below – Donegal Youth Choir pictured in Lourdes, with conductor Sara Laughlin on right and accompanist Evan McGarrigle on left

 

 

NOT YET DONE BUT HEADING THAT WAY

  • – It’s happening, Jim, but it’s still being organised
  • – Get you
  • Concert series – the DMEP is organising a series of concerts in May/June for its 11 performing groups, including the Donegal Youth Orchestra in Glenties and the DMEP choirs in the Amharclann, Gaoth Dobhair (we hope). Dates tbc. Prov DYO – Sunday May 20th
  • Examinations – More than 130 DMEP music students will be taking examinations in May with the Royal College of Music and Trinity College London at various centres across Donegal
  • Student concerts – end-of-year DMEP student concerts will be held in April and May in Letterkenny, Donegal Town and Buncrana. The Letterkenny concert is at the RCC Letterkenny on Sunday 22 April
  • Soundwaves Monthly – a ‘Create and Record’ day for young musicians will be held at the RCC Letterkenny on Sunday 29th April
  • City of Derry jazz festival – Errigal Groove Orchestra at Guildhall Square, 11.30am, Sat May 5th
  • Planning ahead – Chamber music festival in October, incl. Contempo Quartet Mon 15th Oct.