A view of the performers and musicians at the event in the Esker Arts centre. Photo: Paul Moore.

Schools from across Offaly and Westmeath take part in SingOUT event

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Over 175 pupils from seven Offaly and Westmeath secondary schools took part in Music Generations Offaly and Westmeath SingOUT! event in Esker Arts Centre, Tullamore on May 16 last.

Part of Singfest, a celebration of all things singing, SingOUT! is just for secondary schools and supports participating groups and choirs with everything they need to learn a number of selected songs, including providing workshops with Music Generation musician educators Tríona Walsh and Andrew Kin-yip Yau in the run up to the event. On the SingOUT! day, the groups come together to form a single choir and perfect the music.

The SingOUT! day was led by Irish Youth Training Choir conductor Patrick Barrett and involved six of Music Generation Offaly & Westmeath’s professional musician educators who guided the participants through a number of workshops and went on to form the band. This year the band were joined on stage by several ukulele players from participating schools for one of the songs. Margaret Broome, Development Officer with Music Generation Westmeath said ‘We had a wonderful day! The highlight for me hearing the wonderful singing, and then seeing the reaction of the young singers when they get to sing with the fabulous band. We’re looking forward to working with them all again soon.’

Participating schools included: Athlone Community College; Killina Presentation Secondary School; Ardscoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara; Sacred Heart School, Tullamore; Wilson’s Hospital School; Mercy Secondary School, Kilbeggan and Mullingar Community College.

Singfest is a celebration of singing developed by Music Generations Offaly & Westmeath in partnership with Sing Ireland and supported by funding from the Music Generation / Arts Council Partnership.

Music Generation Offaly is a performance music education service which receives funding from Music Generation and the Offaly Music Education Partnership comprising of Laois – Offaly Education and Training Board (Lead Partner) and Offaly County Council.

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